One day after discussing the possibility of issuing “county-specific” executive orders to slow the spread of COVID-19, Governor Tate Reeves identified the 13 Mississippi counties that will be included in these orders.
Claiborne, DeSoto, Grenada, Harrison, Hinds, Jackson, Jefferson, Madison, Quitman, Rankin, Sunflower, Washington, Wayne.
No businesses will be forced to close, but additional guidelines will be put in place along with restrictions on social gatherings. Indoor gatherings are once again limited to 10 people or less and the limit on outdoor gatherings drops down to 20. Masks must be worn while out in public in these counties. The order will take effect next week.
“To my fellow Mississippians, please take this as an alarm. Our numbers are getting worse. We need your cooperation. I know that no orders will be effective if we don’t have the participation of our people,” the governor said.
The criteria used to determine these counties is as follows: An increase of 200 new cases within the past 14 days or in that same time frame, the county saw an average of 500 cases per 100,000 residents.
Keep in mind that Mississippi’s statewide ‘Safe Return’ order remains in effect.
Governor Reeves made the announcement during today’s press briefing, which can be viewed below:
This story will be updated as more specific information is released.
