This morning Gov. Tate Reeves announced Mississippi's shelter-in-place order will continue for seven more days, although some of the restrictions will be softened beginning Monday.
Reeves said he was hoping to be able to announce it was time to reopen but said he cannot do so.
The order, which began April 3, will now go through 8 a.m. Monday, April 27. It requires people to stay home in most cases unless working at businesses deemed "essential" or shopping for groceries or other necessities.
Throughout the country there have been intense debates about when the reopen the economy as unemployment soars but virus cases continue to rise.
Reeves had tweeted on Thursday, "It’s now a 14,000% increase in lost Mississippi jobs. Many more still can’t get through because of the surge. This is insane—the bleeding has to stop. Lives depend on this as well. Please pray for wisdom as we consider all options. Our people can’t take much more."
Also on Thursday governors across the country met with President Trump and members of the National COVID-19 Task Force. At the meeting, the president discussed reopening the country slowly through three phases. Trump said discretion on when each state begins to reopen will be up to the governors.
Reeves said this morning that after 8 a.m. Monday some non-essential businesses may reopen as long as there is no contact with customers. An example would be a boutique may open, but customers are still not allowed to come in and browse. A customer will be able to purchase items over the phone or through the internet. The purchases can then be received via curbside pick-up or delivery.
The lakes and beaches will also be reopened Monday morning as long as the social distancing guidelines are followed. Reeves said it's to allow more people to fish and be out in the sun to have some relaxation.
Reeves said by opening some non-essential businesses it will also curtail individuals having to go to the “big box” store that could have 300 people inside.
The governor did say the executive order for social distancing is still in place and must be maintained.
Dr. Thomas Dobbs with the Mississippi Department of Health said 169 new cases have been confirmed, bringing the total to 3,793. Dobbs was asked if an order would be issued to require everyone to wear a mask. Dobbs said it is something recommended and encouraged, but there will be no official order.
Dobbs made the recommendation that even as the state slowly reopens that people maintain the social distancing guidelines for the time being.
“We believe we are right in the middle of the peak,” Reeves said. “What we are doing is working; we are slowing it down.”
