Gov. Reeves extends mask mandate for 2 Coast counties as COVID-19 cases keep rising
Gov. Tate Reeves is extending a mask mandate for both Harrison and Jackson counties.
The mandate was scheduled to expire Wednesday. It now expires Dec. 11.
Besides the Coast, the governor’s latest executive order also lengthens the mandate in 13 other Mississippi counties: Benton, Carroll, Covington, DeSoto, Forrest, Humphreys, Lamar, Lauderdale, Leflore, Lee, Marshall, Rankin and Yalobusha.
.“I know that we are all tired and ready to move on. But the virus is still here,” Reeves said .
“It’s still working to infect and kill. We’ve gotten far better at dealing with it, and allowing for life to go on. But we’re not all the way there yet. Keep fighting and protecting the most vulnerable in your life. No matter where you are, please do your best to social distance and wear a mask.”
The seven-day average for new COVID-19 cases in Mississippi cleared 1,000 on Wednesday for the first time since Aug. 5. The average now stands at 1,072.00.
Earlier this week, the governor announced that one of his daughters had contracted COVID-19.
Under Reeves’ order, Mississippians will continue to be asked to wear a face covering while inside a school building or classroom or when outdoors on a school campus when it’s not possible to maintain six feet of social distancing.
Social gatherings and recreational activities are limited to groups of no more than 20 people in a single indoor space or groups of no more than 100 people in an outdoor space where people not in the same household are in close proximity.
These guidelines do not apply to religious entities, voting precincts, students in classrooms or gatherings governed by other capacity limitations.
Capacity at football games on college campuses will remain at 25%.
At K-12 extracurricular events, including high school football games, capacity will continue to be limited to 50 percent. Those in attendance 6 years and older are asked to wear masks while ]entering and exiting the venue and while in transit inside.
This story was originally published November 11, 2020 at 9:34 AM.