MS governor extends coronavirus mask mandate and adds 10 counties to list
Gov. Tate Reeves announced Monday that he is extending his Safe Return order and adding 10 counties to the list of places where he has implemented a mask mandate and required stricter social distancing.
“COVID-19 is spreading and killing in our state,” Reeves said in a Facebook post. “It is not a hypothetical, it is happening.”
The 10 new counties that have seen coronavirus numbers rise are Bolivar, Covington, Forrest, Humphreys, Panola, Sharkey, Simpson, Tallahatchie, Tate, and Walthall.
The original list of 13 counties includes Harrison, Jackson, Claiborne, Desoto, Grenada, Hinds, Jefferson, Madison, Quitman, Rankin, Sunflower, Washington, and Wayne.
Reeves’ new order will be in effect until 8 a.m. on Aug. 3.
The guidelines in Reeves’ executive order for the 23 counties say people should wear masks or face coverings at public gatherings or while shopping in stores. Social gatherings should be limited to no more than 10 indoors and 20 outdoors.
Enforcement of the governor’s order is left up to local law enforcement with potential punishment including a $500 fine and six months in jail.
