Amendment to Vicksburg COVID-19 proclamation July 27 through Sept. 8 – full text

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AMENDMENT OF THE PROCLAMATION REGARDING THE RE-OPENING OF VICKSBURG WHILE MINIMIZING THE RISK OF INFECTION AND TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 EFFECTIVE MONDAY JULY 27, 2020 THROUGH 8:00 A.M. ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2020

WHEREAS, pursuant to §§45-17-1 through 45-17-13, and §33-15-17 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended, the Mayor is authorized to proclaim that a Civil Emergency exists defined as any natural disaster or man-made calamity resulting in the death or injury of persons to such an extent that extraordinary measures must be taken to protect the public health, safety and welfare; and

WHEREAS, §21-19-3 gives municipalities the authority to make regulations to prevent the spreading of contagious or infectious diseases and to make quarantine laws for that purpose; and

WHEREAS, §33-15-17 authorizes the Mayor to control or restrict egress, ingress and movement within the local emergency area necessary to facilitate the protection of life and property; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to these laws, the Mayor is authorized to issue such orders as he deems necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Vicksburg, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) that has spread across this nation is a worldwide pandemic and as of July 26, 2020, the Mississippi Department of Health has reported 52,304 positive confirmed cases and 1,495 deaths in Mississippi, 24 of which were in Warren County; and

WHEREAS, previous emergency orders have required that persons stay at home and that certain businesses be closed in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of Mississippi has adopted a Safe Return Order in an effort to continue to prevent the spread of COVID-19 while allowing the businesses to open and persons to return to work; and

WHEREAS, it is likewise necessary for Vicksburg businesses to safely open and Vicksburg citizens to safely return to work.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF

VICKSBURG pursuant to §§45-17-1 through 45-17-13, §21-19-3 and §33-15-17 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, the following regulations apply:

I.      The Safe Return instituted in Proclamation effective June I, 2020 and amended effective June 15, 2020, extended effective, July 6, 2020, and extended effective July 13, 2020, and amended effective July 18, 2020 is extended and shall remain in full force and effect until 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 and is amended as modified herein.

In addition to previous regulations, the following regulations shall be in effect immediately on Monday July 27, 2020:

1. GROUP GATHERINGS (INDOOR): Social gathering/activities shall be limited to a maximum of 10 participants indoors. All individuals shall maintain social distancing of a minimum of 6 feet distance between individuals not in the same household. This limitation shall not apply to religious entities, students in classrooms or gatherings in facilities governed by other capacity limitations.
2. GROUP GATHERINGS (OUTDOOR): Social gathering/activities shall be limited to a maximum of 20 participants outdoor. All individuals shall maintain social distancing a minimum of 6 feet distance between individuals not in the same household. This limitation shall not apply to religious activities or gatherings governed by other capacity limitations.
3. ANY BUSINESS THAT SELLS ALCOHOL OR ALLOWS ALCOHOL FOR ON-PREMISES CONSUMPTION, other than those under the jurisdiction of the MS Gaming Commission, shall not sell alcohol or allow consumption on the premises between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. This includes restaurants, bars, BYOB, or other entertainment venues that sell or allow consumption of alcohol on the premises.
4. BARS: The sale of alcohol in bars shall only be allowed to seated patrons. Bars shall continue to be subject to previous regulations, including limiting the number of customers in the bar to 50% of maximum capacity and updating floor plans to ensure at least six feet of separation between each party/group and limiting party sizes to a maximum of six customers per table.
5. City Pavilion: The City Pavilion shall remain closed and not be available for rental during this time.
6. Funerals: Funerals are encouraged to be grave side services. Funeral services may be held at a Church or funeral home at 11:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m., as long as there is room for socially distancing, or held at the City Auditorium at 10:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m., unless already scheduled for a different time. All persons must wear a face covering at all funerals. Upon proof of death due to COVID-19, the cost for the City Auditorium for the funeral shall be one -half (1/2) of the regular auditorium fee.
7. SPECIAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCE: The Special Task Force created on July 15, 2020 shall remain in place. There shall be a minimum of eleven (11) patrol officers on duty along with a watch commander and deputy chief each Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights through September 8, 2020 from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

Violation of this EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION will be subject to misdemeanor prosecution pursuant to Sec. 45-17-9 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended, Sec. 33- 15-7 and Sec. 1-9 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Vicksburg, including a fine of up to $1,000.00 and 90 days in jail.

THIS PROCLAMATION SHALL BE IN EFFECT BEGINNING IMMEDIATELY UPON EXECUTION ON MONDAY JULY 27, 2020 AND SHALL CONTINUE UNTIL 8:00 A.M. ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2020 UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED HEREIN OR EXTENDED, MODIFIED OR REPEALED BY A SUBSEQUENT PROCLAMATION.

·                                            GEORGE FLAGGS, JR., MAYOR CITY OF VICKSBURG, MS