Reeves issues statewide ‘shelter in place’ order

With the number of COVID-19 cases skyrocketing in the U.S., a number of governors, including Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, have issued “shelter in place” or “stay at home” orders in an attempt to limit the spread of the virus.

“Every day, for the last several weeks, I have asked our health experts whether it is time for the ultimate action of a ‘shelter in place’ order statewide,” Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said in a Facebook live event Wednesday. “Yesterday, for the first time, we got the answer we had been anticipating. They told me we are now at the point in Mississippi’s cycle where such drastic restrictions are required. Today is the day. We are announcing a shelter-in-place order. It will go into effect on Friday at 5 p.m.”

What it means is that unless you work in an essential service or business, you are ordered to stay at home unless you have a crucial reason to go out, such as going to a doctor or picking up a prescription or making a run to the grocery store.

According to Reeve’s order:

• Individuals are to stay at home except for the limited allowances in the executive order.
• When outside of their homes, people must follow social distancing guidelines by maintaining a 6-foot distance from others and avoid groups of 10 or more.
• Evictions are suspended, though people are still required to pay any rent or make any mortgage payments.
• All nonessential businesses are to stop all activities other than those necessary for minimum operations (e.g. payroll, health insurance, security) and enabling employees to work from home.
• Social and other non-essential gatherings in groups of more than 10 people must be cancelled or rescheduled.
• Restaurants and bars may only remain open for drive-thru, curbside, and/or delivery service.
• People may leave their homes only to perform essential activities, such as caring for someone in the vulnerable population, getting food or necessary supplies, and working for an essential business.
• Individual outdoor recreation is encouraged, but not group recreation or activities such as soccer or basketball games.

The Executive Order is posted below. Click to enlarge the images.