Social distancing: what you should know; plus area restaurant list

With COVID-19 cases on the rise and no clear end in sight, the Center for Disease Control has made several recommendations, one of which is social distancing.

Because there is no known vaccine or medication to combat COVID-19, it is more important than ever for individuals to keep away from one another as much as possible. The term “social distancing” means to create enough space from an individual to break the cycle of infection.

Individuals should not confuse social distancing from quarantining. If you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19 or experiencing symptoms such as a cough or high fever, you should remain quarantined for a minimum of 14 days.  

When it comes to social distancing, the recommended space is 6 to 10 feet between you and the person next to you. If possible, try to refrain from going into town or running errands during a busy time such as a lunch hour or closing time of most businesses. Being in large crowds is strongly discouraged. Actually, most large events have been canceled or postponed in the Vicksburg area, so that one shouldn’t be too difficult. Work from home if you’re able.

If your goal was to start working out at a public gym today, you may want to reconsider. In fact, the newly established Planet Fitness Vicksburg branch sent out an email to members informing them that they will be closed through March 31.

Dozens of Vicksburg restaurants have remained open and are taking precautions to embrace the social distancing recommendations by spacing out tables in dining rooms. Others have closed down dining rooms altogether and are only keeping drive-thru windows open.

Here’s what area restaurants are doing: 

10 South: Open / Dine-in and carry out  

The Anthony: Open / Dine-in, carry out, curbside pickup and family meals to go

Beechwood:  Open / Dine-in and carry out  

Billy’s:  Open / Dine-in, carry out, curbside and delivery

Biscuit Company: Open / Dine in, carry out and delivery  

Bohemia Cafe and Bakery: Open / Dine-in, carry out and delivery

Bop’s Frozen Custard: Open/ Dine-in and Drive-thru

Cafe Paradiso: Open / Dine-in, carry out, drive-thru and delivery  

Chick-Fil-A: Open / Drive-thru only  

China Buffet  / Closed   

Cocktails 1o1: Open / Dine-in and carry out

The Coffee House Cafe’: Open / Drive-thru only

Cottonwood Public House: Open / Dine-in and carry out  

Divine Donuts: Open / Dine-in until 10 am/ Drive-thru only after that

El Sombrero: Open / Limiting number of guests and seating in every other booth  

Fit Chef: Open / Curbside pickup and free delivery to Vicksburg area  

Fox’s pizza: Open / Dine-in, carry out and curbside

Goldie’s Express: Open   

Goldie’s Trail: Open / Dine-in, carry out and curbside pickup available  

Gumbo Pot: Open / Dine-in, carry out and delivery (buffet closed)  

Highway 61 Coffeehouse: Open / Carry out only  

Historic Klondyke: Open / Carry out only 

Honeybaked Ham (formerly Heavenly Ham): Open / Carry out, curbside pickup and delivery. Catering and take-home meals are available.

Hot Dog Man: Open   

Jeff’s: Open / Dine-in and carry out 

KFC: Open / Drive-thru, carry out and online ordering to be picked up inside

LD’s Kitchen: Open / Dine-in and carry out  

Main Street Market: Open / Dine-in and carry out  

McAlister’s: Open / Dine-in and carry out  

McDonald’s: Open / Curbside pickup and drive-thru only  

Newks: Open / Dine-in and carry out  

Pizza Inn: Open / Dine-in, carry out and delivery

Rey Azteca Mexican Restaurant: Open / Dine in and carry out

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory: Open / dine-in, carry out, curbside and delivery

Rusty’s: Open / Dine-in and carry out  

Solly’s Tamales: Open / Dine-in and carry out  

Southern Roots: Open / Curbside/ Dine In

Squealin’ Pig: Open / Dine-in and carry out  

Taco Casa: Open / Dine-in and carry out  

Toney’s: Open / Dine-in and carry out  

Walnut Hills: Open / Dine-in, carry out and curbside pickup

Whataburger: Drive-thru only