Flaggs ‘cautiously optimistic’ about churches and casinos reopening

Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs Jr. began his live question and answer session Wednesday by thanking city employees and residents for their patience during the COVID-19 crisis.

“I think we’re still doing everything we can to mitigate this virus,” he said.

With the reopening of casinos and churches resuming in-person services, this is the most critical time of the reopening, Flaggs said, because people will be exposed to one another in large groups.

“We are not out of this, yet,” he said, and continued to advocate social distancing and hygiene guidelines.

The mayor said he is adopting the governor’s guidelines word-for-word to allow in-person services once again in churches and other houses of worship.

“He and I are on the same page,” Flaggs said.

He is “cautiously optimistic” about the churches and casinos reopening but said the next few weeks will tell whether the decisions are good ones.

Flaggs reiterated that the city’s adult curfew expires with the casino openings Thursday morning. The juvenile curfew, from 7:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m., remains in effect.

The mayor also said riverboats will resume docking in Vicksburg June 21 or June 22.

Regarding city employees, Flaggs also repeated that he is looking for ways not to lay off workers. He expects to be able to shift jobs and eliminate others through attrition.

The mayor reiterated the need to remain vigilant and cautious during this time.

“I can tell you that the house is burning,” he said. “You have to decide to get out.”

Read Vicksburg’s complete guidelines for churches.