The City of Jackson has extended an April 1 “stay-at-home” order through May 15, saying the number of cases of COVID-19 in the state continue to rise, indicating that social distancing remains the best course of action.

“I want to remind people that we are still in a critical stage in our fight to flatten the curve in this COVID-19 pandemic,” said Mayor Lumumba. “It is imperative that everyone maintain their vigilance and only go out if it is absolutely necessary. Maintain social distancing, cover your face when out in public and maintain proper handwashing and coughing hygiene.”

The Amended Order is largely the same as the original, with the following changes that were made in consideration due to the economic and health interests of the city:

• Strengthens the City’s social distancing requirements
• Gives residents additional flexibility in their activities and operations
• Provides measured relief to non-essential businesses in the safest way possible

The most prominent changes are as follows:

• Non-essential retail stores, malls, and grooming business must remain closed but may open for the limited purposes of fulfilling telephonic and online orders through drive-thru, curbside pick-up and/or delivery services – which are now deemed to be Minimum Basic Operations.
• Employees working inside the store must follow the Social Distancing Requirements provided in the Amended Order, and must wear a face covering when they may come within six feet of another employee or a customer.

Additionally, the order requires that hand sanitizer must be on on-site of any open business and frequent hand-washing must be maintained.

State Orders

Governor Tate Reeves signed a new executive order establishing a statewide “Safer at Home” order this week for Mississippi to continue protecting public health while beginning the process to safely reopen the state’s economy.

In his new executive order, Governor Reeves laid out a plan to reopen Mississippi while continuing to flatten the curve and conserve healthcare resources. Consulting with state health experts, the Executive Order sets out guidelines for certain business operations and healthcare activities to safely resume.

The new executive order began at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, April 27, 2020 and will remain in effect until 8:00 a.m. on Monday, May 11, 2020. The executive order can be viewed in full here. 

Lumumba says city’s orders will remain tighter

Lumumba mentioned Reeves earlier press conferences and the loosening of some restrictions but said last week the City of Jackson is staying the course.

“I just want to advise all of our residents that the Governor’s order serves as a minimal standard for the entire state, that the leadership of municipalities has the right to provide stricter, more stringent regulation in the interest of the health and safety of our residents.”

Mayor Lumumba said he desires a continued ongoing communication with the Governor to ensure uniform statewide policy, but that he will be “moving based on what the experts share with me and that will be the controlling factor at the end of the day.