Governor Tate Reeves’s new Safer at Home Order begins today for the next two weeks as he continues reopening the state’s economy. While a previous order restricted nonessential businesses from opening to slow the spread of the Coronavirus, the new order allows businesses to reopen their doors to the public.
“We are allowing most closed businesses to reopen under certain health and safety mandates developed with our health department. I wish we could open up for everybody, but we’re still not at that point yet.”
Under the order, most small businesses will be able to reopen, but places like gyms, nail salons and barbers must remain closed. It also prohibits gatherings of 10 or more people.
While most Mississippians will be able to conduct business, Reeves says the most vulnerable to the disease must continue sheltering in place.
“That means the elderly, people with preexisting conditions, people whose immune systems are compromised. If you’re not in these categories, you should still stay at home if at all possible. This just represents the most vulnerable group, and therefore, the strictest rules.”
State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs says the decision was based on data showing new hospitalizations are steady or declining. He says they also saw declines in patients visiting emergency rooms with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and the Flu.
“That doesn’t mean that we have absolute confidence that we’ve passed our peak, but these are very strong indicators that we’re on the right path. The data and certainly the science and the guidelines support this very cautious, measured, but appropriate step toward bringing us back a little bit closer to normalcy.”
Dr. Dobbs says the order will also relax restrictions on some medical procedures so doctors and patients can begin returning to normal practice.
Governor Reeves says the order will begin today at 8:00 a.m. and remain in place for two weeks.
