‘Out of control.’ Cops break up large crowds in downtown Bay St. Louis, mayor says
Bay St. Louis had to block off parts of Beach Boulevard on Friday night to break up large groups of people gathering near shops and restaurants downtown during the coronavirus pandemic, Mayor Mike Favre told the Sun Herald.
Favre said “large groups” of dozens of people were gathering between Main and Demontluzin streets. The people were not practicing social distancing.
“It was out of control,” Favre said. “It looked Mardi Gras was going on down by the beach.”
Favre said people who were ordering to-go or curbside food from downtown restaurants were allowed to stay and get their meals, and the businesses are still open.
Police opened the streets back up after the crowds were dispersed, Favre said.
Missisisppi Governor Tate Reeves announced Friday a “safer at home” order that eased shelter-in-place restrictions and allowed retail stores to open next week, but only if they follow a list of guidelines including social distancing and having hand sanitizer available for customers.
In the new order that will be in place for two weeks, Reeves explained that groups of more than 10 should not gather.
D’Iberville and Gulfport announced their cities would follow the guidelines set forth by Reeves allow stores to open on Monday. Favre said he expects Bay St. Louis will do the same.
Favre said the city is complying with statewide restrictions.
On Friday, the Mississippi State Department of health reported 625 cases of COVID-19 in South Mississippi.
