After more than a year of ever-changing executive orders, Governor Tate Reeves issued another executive order on Friday. However, this order repeals all the previous ones.
The new order encourages people to continue wearing masks and social distance but no longer mandated. The order also encourages everyone to continue to follow the CDC recommendations. When it comes to capacity, all businesses can now operate at full capacity.
The only restriction still in effect is regarding the schools. All students, staff and visitors when entering a school building must wear a face mask.
“For the remainder of the 2020-2021 academic year, every person in Mississippi shall wear a face covering, covering the nose and mouth, while inside a school building or classroom,” from Executive Order 1551 Reeves signed on Friday.
While the mandate calls for, inside the school building or classroom, Reeves’ order does not specify outdoor school activities.
“Getting our kids back in school last August was one of the most important decision of the pandemic. Even so - our class of 2021 has not been afforded a normal senior year. I want every one of them to attend their graduation and I want everyone in their family to be able to join them! So, effective today at 5 p.m., ALL capacity restrictions - indoor and outdoor - have been lifted. You can attend graduation. And masks are not necessary for anyone at outdoor venues on K-12 campuses,” Reeves said Friday in a statement.
Regarding the upcoming graduations, Columbia School District Superintendent Jason Harris said masks must be worn to each person’s designated location at the outdoor ceremony May 21.
