Mayor suspends indoor service at city bars as coronavirus cases surge in Mississippi
Jackson, Mississippi, residents will have to take their drinks to go after the mayor issued an order Tuesday closing bars to indoor guests.
In his amended “Stay Safe” order, Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba cited the resurgence in coronavirus cases across the city and state in recent weeks.
“I’m committed to addressing the challenges that COVID-19 has wrought for an important sector of our business community,” Lumumba said in a statement, according to WLBT. “Although we’re faced with difficult choices, we’ll always prioritize saving lives.”
Under the mayor’s order, all bars, nightclubs, lounges, taverns, pubs, breweries and similar establishments must close, unless they can offer drive-thru, curbside or delivery services. Restaurant bar tops are also closed to the public, though employees may still make drinks to serve at tables or for curbside pick-ups.
Restaurants may “continue the lawful sale of alcohol” and indoor and outdoor dining services pursuant to the limitations outlined in the order, which goes into effect late Tuesday.
It also limits social gatherings to no more than 10 people for indoor activities, and 20 people for outdoor activities.
Like other U.S. states, Mississippi has seen a surge in COVID-19 cases since reopening earlier this year. The Mississippi State Department of Health has reported more than 62,000 cases and more than 1,700 deaths as of Tuesday, data show.
Hinds County, which is home to Jackson, has the highest number of coronavirus cases in the state with more than 5,300 confirmed infections, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health. On Monday, the county recorded 4 more deaths, pushing the total to 110.
Lumumba first reopened bars in May but has warned against large gatherings, especially in crowded spaces where he says there’s “significant risk” of spreading the virus.
In bars specifically, the mayor said “consuming alcohol reduces inhibitions,”which leads to less compliance with wearing a face mask. He also said the noisy environment requires patrons to yell, “which spreads droplets more widely.”
Lumumba’s order takes effect Tuesday night and will last through Aug. 11, unless rescinded.
This story was originally published August 4, 2020 at 2:44 PM.