Mississippi governor declares state of emergency over new coronavirus after Spain visit
Gov. Tate Reeves has declared a state of emergency over the rising cases of new coronavirus.
He also confirmed that COVID-19 had been spread locally from person to person, and not just from people who had traveled outside of the state.
“Taking proactive measures to limit community spread, I have declared a state of emergency to deploy the necessary resources to protect public health and take care of all Mississippians,” Reeves said in a press release.” We are not taking any chances. This is our latest step to respond to COVID-19, and it will not be our last.”
Reeves returned to Mississippi on Friday after traveling with his family to Spain, which on Saturday declared a national lockdown. It is the worst-hit European country after Italy, and has 191 deaths and 6,046 infections, the BBC reports.
The governor shared the message via video on social media. He is working from home for 14 days “out of an abundance of caution.” He said his family has no symptoms and that all are healthy.
“We have to be an example of caution, and that’s what we are doing.” Reeves said.
In the message, Tate Reeves said that Mississippians “must all act together to prevent the unnecessary spread” of the virus.
The governor asks people to stay away from large gatherings including sports and church on Sunday. Reeves asked churches to not hold large, in-person services.
“You can worship from home. Work from home If you can,” Reeves said. “Social distancing Is one of the most important things you can do.”
Reeves said that the state will be temporary closing some offices, including drivers license offices to “protect staff and taxpayers” and encourages other businesses to do the same.
The Department of Public Safety released that all driver license stations are officially closed to the public except for the 9 MHP District Troop Stations across the state until March 31, 2020. That station will only provide sex offender registry transactions, CDL card renewals and medical card updates. Online transactions will still be available for some services.
Reeves has asked for schools to extend spring break for at least one week. Coast districts have already taken action and closed schools from March 16-20.
“The intent is to keep students out of school long enough in order to utilize effective monitoring protocol for both students and teachers that may have traveled to a risk zone or been exposed to COVID during Spring Break,” Reeves said in a message to the state’s emergency management directors.
“Given the quarantine period of 14 days for COVID exposure to become symptomatic, this additional time would allow potential victims to become symptomatic at home without doing so at the school. Counties will then make those decisions locally.”
In the message, Reeves also discouraged travel by air, rail or bus. “Travel by cruise ship would indicate lunacy,” he said.
Six cases were confirmed in Mississippi Friday by the Mississippi Department of Health.
The six cases are:
- March 13 - Copiah County - Woman over 65 in hospital
- March 13 - Pearl River County - Woman over 65 in hospital
- March 13 - Leflore County - Woman in home isolation
- March 13 - Forrest County - Man in home isolation
- March 13 - Forrest County - Woman over 65 in hospital
- March 11 - Forrest County - Man in home isolation
There are 67 confirmed cases in Louisiana and six in Alabama. Both states have declared states of emergency.
This story was originally published March 14, 2020 at 1:59 PM.
