Mississippi residents must stay at home under most circumstances beginning at 5 p.m. Friday under an order issued this week by Gov. Tate Reeves, but most businesses can remain open.
Reeves announced the “shelter in place” restrictions from 5 p.m. Friday, April 3 to 8 a.m. Monday, April 20 intended to slow spread of the coronavirus.
The state's cases have risen rapidly in the past week, reaching 1,177 with 26 deaths as of press-time Thursday, including six cases in Marion County. Globally on Thursday the number of cases has crossed the 1 million mark.
Residents can leave for activities “necessary to their health and safety,” as well as that of family or household members, including pets. They can leave to obtain food or other services needed to “maintain the safety, sanitation and essential operation of the home,” and for individual outdoor recreation.
Other than that, Mississippians are supposed to stay home.
“This order will be enforced. It will be taken very, very seriously. It will not be forever. We will get through this and open our state back up as soon as our health experts tell me it is wise,” Reeves said. “Our goal is to prevent our health care system from being overwhelmed. I pray that all of our orders and preparations will be enough. We believe that this is the right tool at the right time to save lives.”
Violators face up to six months in jail and a $500 fine, according to Section 33-15-43 of the Mississippi Code. Columbia Police Chief Michael Kelly in his briefing Thursday said officers are now authorized to issue citations and take what steps are necessary to enforce the order.
Columbia Mayor Justin McKenzie said Thursday he had ordered all parks to be closed, including Friendship, Bluff Street and Duckworth parks. Included in the closure are the tennis courts, pavilions and basketball court at Duckwork Park. He said there will be citations and sanctions if the order is not followed. The walking trail at the City Park is remaining open. Barricades have been set up to close off the areas at the parks.
Kelly said the waterways, including the Pearl River, are closed to outdoor recreational fishing. Kelly also said churches holding drive-in services need to cease as it falls in gatherings of 10 or more.
Both McKenzie and Kelly said large funerals and weddings can no longer happen under the order. Last week two large funerals took place in Columbia, they said. Reeves in his press conference said gatherings such as weddings and funerals are breeding grounds for the virus.
Reeves also ordered non-essential businesses to shut down. However, most every industry in the state has previously been classified as essential in a separate executive order by Reeves. Essential businesses are to operate “at such level as necessary to provide essential services and functions.”
Restaurants can remain open but can continue to only serve via drive-through, curbside or delivery.
The few businesses that must close include barber and beauty shops and gyms, although some are voluntarily shutting their doors.
Angela McArthur with Michaels’ RV said in compliance with the executive order, they will close the store to the public Friday evening. She said they will probably still be working, but the doors will be locked.
“I think it is a good idea. We don’t mind conscientious customers. However, we have had a couple of customers who have said someone at their work was tested and they are on their way to be quarantined,” McArthur said.
McArthur said Michaels’ RV has been in business for more than 20 years. She said she believes they will be OK, but she has applied for a federal small business loan to help with the payroll of the workers. There are things they can work on, such as campers needing repairs. The goal is to keep them busy for as long as she can.
James Jackson with Big Rev's BBQ said even with businesses shutting down he has been a little busier than usual. “We have been staying steady,” Jackson said outside his cooking trailer on Thursday.
One thing both McKenzie and Kelly have said is everyone is in this together and everyone needs to work together to get through the pandemic.
“Stay home. Don’t go browsing through the stores. Go in, get what you need and go home,” McKenzie said.
McKenzie said he knows some people will not be happy with his decision. He remarked how Reeves has been given a hard time not shutting down the state and now that he has people are criticizing that decision.
McKenzie stressed this is a great time to reconnect with family. He said with not being able to go anywhere now was the time to get the closeness back in families as everyone has been talking about from years past. He also requested people to telephone family members and the elderly neighbors to check on them as well.
“Don’t neglect your own health. If you are sick, seek medical treatment,” he said.
