Moss Point mayor will propose curfew, scolds Tate Reeves over coronavirus response
Moss Point Mayor Mario King will ask the Jackson County Board of Supervisors for approval of a citywide curfew to combat the new coronavirus pandemic, he announced in a Facebook Live video.
King said he will propose the curfew during a special-called city meeting set for 7 p.m. Monday.
King met with the Moss Point Board of Aldermen on Sunday about the curfew and other city items. One aldermen was not present, and no action was taken.
“There are a lot of people who are fearful,” King said in the post. “These are issues we have to manage. This is a time where strength and perseverance is needed. We need to comply and cooperate with mandates from our city, state and local officials. We have to stand up and make these tough decisions.”
King asked that residents follow the rules of social distancing and stop gathering in large groups. King said adults and children were still gathering in large groups in the city.
“Many of the people are still not listening,” King said in the Facebook video. “You’re not going to cooperate, we have to instill stronger metrics ... to protect you from yourselves.”
King’s proposed curfew would be from midnight to 6 a.m. each day through April 19, with some exceptions for:
- Traveling to and from work.
- Traveling to grocery stores, pharmacies and other businesses that are open for necessity.
- Traveling to administer aide to others.
The current curfew for juveniles, King said, mandates those 17 and younger without an adult to stay inside from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. on weekends and 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. on weekdays. That curfew would stay intact in King’s proposal.
In the video, King also criticized Gov. Tate Reeves’ response so far to the spread of COVID-19, saying his lack of action is “inadequate, irresponsible and unacceptable.”
“It is unfortunate, however, that we must take measures in our own hands,” King said. “We cannot wait any longer on guidance that is likely never coming.”
King ordered all businesses, which included all child care facilities, churches, gyms, bars, parties, salons, barbershops and other businesses, to shut down effective at noon Friday.
Many businesses that are still open are limiting the amount of customers allowed inside the building at one time. Some signs show as little as five at once to encourage social distancing.
King said that more needed to be done by Mississippi’s leaders.
Coast law enforcement agencies in Harrison County are also recommended a two-week, 24-hour curfew starting Monday night, according to the City of Biloxi. The Board of Supervisors rejected that request at their Monday meeting.
“I don’t understand with the growth with this virus why there is not more action. I’m not understanding the leadership,” King said in the Facebook video.
The Mississippi State Department of Health announced 67 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 Sunday. Reeves on Sunday also led the state in prayer and Bible study in a Facebook video.
This story was originally published March 22, 2020 at 4:59 PM.