Coast needs tougher coronavirus restrictions than Tate Reeves’ order, mayor says
Gov. Tate Reeves’ executive order on social distancing and businesses remaining open during the coronavirus pandemic is only a baseline and allows Coast governments to keep and enforce stricter rules, the govenor said during a news conference Thursday afternoon.
The Mississippi Coast is in a unique position because of its proximity to New Orleans, a new epicenter for the pandemic. The New York Times reported Thursday morning that, according to one study, the Crescent City now has the fastest coronavirus growth rate in the world.
Reeves had a conference call Wednesday with members of the Mississippi Municipal League’s executive board, Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes said. As MML’s current president, Hewes was on the call.
Reeves told mayors his Wednesday order is a baseline. They may adopt stricter rules, but not more lenient ones, Hewes said. Reeves reinforced that position during his news conference, saying he would also be issuing a clarification of the order.
‘We’re going to look towards some clarifying language (in the executive order) so our mayors feel more comfortable,” he said.
“ . . . We’re very concerned about what we’re seeing in the state of Louisiana, and particularly New Orleans.”
With New Orleans as a new epicenter for COVID-19, the Coast needs tougher restrictions, Hewes said.
“There are very serious concerns among our population and local officials,” he said.
“We’re concerned about the economy. We want to get businesses back on their feet as soon as possible, but we want to make sure the health and safety of the community is protected. Those aren’t mutually exclusive items.”
Mayors across the Coast have put orders in place to address the concerns, he said, including a prohibition on dining inside restaurants. Restaurants in many Coast localities, including Gulfport, can offer only takeout and delivery, Hewes said, orders that will remain in force.
Maintain social distancing, mayors advise
The state order Reeves signed limits social and “nonessential gatherings” to no more than 10 people. However, restaurants and bars can serve inside by limiting groups to no more than 10.
Reeves’ order also allows many other businesses to remain open, including retail businesses such as department stores, factories, manufacturing facilities, offices and grocery stores.
“What sense does that make?” Ocean Springs Mayor Shea Dobson asked Thursday morning. “You’re going to have under 10 with cooks and a server for a table of one?”
“If one server walks up to one table, that’s enough to spread the disease. And they walk up to another table, that goes against the spirit and intent of what we’re trying to do. (Reeves) needs to change his” order.
Grocery, drug and convenience stores are still open on the Coast, but Hewes is concerned that residents are not practicing social distancing in all these places. The advice of pandemic experts is to remain at least six feet apart to avoid contamination.
“It’s up to the stores, but it’s also up to us as individuals to avoid crowds,” Hewes said. “They’re not maintaining distance in aisles, they’re not maintaining distance in lines.”
This story was originally published March 26, 2020 at 12:55 PM.
