5 Coast cities now require COVID masks in public buildings as MS goes without mandate
Five months after Mississippi Coast cities decided to follow the governor’s mandate and drop the mask mandate, some mayors are ordering masks again as new COVID-19 cases rise dramatically.
▪ Gulfport became the latest city to require masks, starting at 5 p.m. Monday for city employees and visitors to public buildings in Gulfport. The order will be reevaluated on a weekly basis, the city said in a press release.
Gulfport also is encouraging private business owners to consider requiring measures to protect employees and the public as cases rose by nearly 5,000 across the state Monday.
“With tracking data, input from medical professionals and members of our city family contracting the virus, it is prudent to implement these requirements at this time, in an effort to help mitigate the further spread of this disease,” said Mayor Billy Hewes.
▪ Gautier also instituted a mask mandate Monday for employees and everyone entering city hall.
▪ Long Beach announced a mask order for public buildings last week.
▪ Moss Point said in a Facebook post that masks are required to enter city hall and police, fire and other departments, Masks are also required whether people are vaccinated or not vaccinated.
▪ Waveland announced that everyone entering city hall must wear a mask.
Keesler AFB and Seabee base
The Department of Defense has directed military facilities to return to mask mandates for all personnel inside facilities at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi and the Seabee base in Gulfport.
Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport announced Monday that masks are required for all personnel, regardless of vaccination status, inside all federal buildings and when social distancing can’t be maintained. It doesn’t apply to individuals alone in private offices or in family homes.
The Seabee Base security resumes 100% ID checks. Military personnel who aren’t immunized against COVID-19 are again subject to previous restrictions at off-base establishments and events. Those who are immunized don’t have to follow off-base restrictions. Seating is limited to 50% at the Subway restaurant and masks must be work in the chapel and commissary.
This story was originally published August 2, 2021 at 3:37 PM.
