The executive order signed by Governor Tate Reeves this week indicates that all law enforcement "may" enforce the mask requirement and limitation on social gatherings. The governor tightened restrictions in 23 out of the state's 82 counties where coronavirus cases are spiking. But how are county sheriffs and local police departments handling the new mandate?
Forrest County Sheriff Charlie Sims says their strategy is education first.
"We're not going to be harassing people or really barring down on them or anything like that," said Sheriff Sims. "We want to educate them."
But if a person refuses to wear a mask in public, Sims says deputies will issue a citation or even a post arrest release for defying the executive order.
In Hinds County, residents in Jackson were required to wear masks as mandated by their local government prior to the new mandate.
Sam Brown is with the Jackson Police Department.
"Once they receive some information on large gatherings, what they'll do is they'll go to the area," said Brown. "And if there are gatherings of people and if they don't have masks, the officers may have some masks that they could distribute and make sure that everybody is on the same page."
Brown believes they could respond to more mass gatherings if residents would call the department and report them.
In Simpson County, Sherrif Paul Mullins says enforcing the mask mandate for them is just easier said than done.
"It would be pretty much impossible for a county my size to enforce it," said Mullins. "I mean I have three officers working at any given time and we're answering calls of service. I mean, we don't have time to go around and count people and see if they have their mask on."
As coronavirus cases continue to surge, health officials have repeatedly asked residents to wear masks and social distance to help slow the spread.
