Flaggs extends mask mandate through May 1

Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs Jr. has extended the mask mandate for the city of Vicksburg for another 30 days, pushing the April 1 expiration date back to May 1.

The announcement came Monday morning at the Mayor and Board of Aldermen meeting, where Flaggs spoke about the importance of masks and social distancing in the fight against COVID-19.

“Let’s continue to practice social distancing as we lift some restrictions.  We’re not out of the woods, but we’re walking toward the end of some of this,”  Flaggs said. “I think as we take the vaccine we’re making certain more folks can live a normal life, and it is mitigating the spread of the disease.”

Masks will continue to be required in public spaces and businesses must continue sanitation practices on high-contact surfaces.  All other restrictions and limitations have been lifted.  Read the full text of the mandate here.

Gov. Tate Reeves lifted all state-imposed mandates at the beginning of March.  With vaccines open to all residents over 16 years of age now and many of the high-risk individuals already having received at least the first dose, the mayor and aldermen hope to be able to lift the city mandate soon.

The current mandate expires on May 1, 2021.  Mayor Flaggs says he will continue to monitor the case numbers closely and base his decision to end or extend the mandate on that data.