Vicksburg Civil Emergency Proclamation Phase 2 text in full

PROCLAMATION THAT A CIVIL EMERGENCY EXISTS IN THE CITY OF VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI DUE TO THE SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID -19) AND IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND WELFARE, PHASE 2 MEASURES SUCH AS A CURFEW, ADJUSTED BUSINESS CLOSING HOURS, LIMITATIONS ON BUSINESS SERVICES, SOCIAL DISTANCING AND LIMITATIONS ON GATHERINGS ARE HEREBY ORDERED FOR THE NEXT 14 DAYS BEGINNING AT NOON ON MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020

WHEREAS, pursuant to §§45-17-1 through 45-17-13 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended, entitled Civil Emergencies, authorizes the Mayor 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, the Civil Emergencies law authorizes the Mayor 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 March 22, 2020, the Mississippi Department of Health has reported 207 positive confirmed cases and 1 death in Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, the City of Vicksburg, Mississippi is the only municipality in Warren County, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Department of Health and the CDC have advised all citizens to practice social distancing which is staying at least 6 feet apart from one another; and

WHEREAS, the President of the United States, the CDC, the Governor of Mississippi and the Mississippi Health Department have recommended that gatherings of more than 10 people be avoided; and

WHEREAS, extraordinary measures related to the spread of the Coronavirus are necessary for the health, safety, welfare and good order to protect the public.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE FLAGGS, JR., MAYOR OF THE CITY OF VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME PURSUANT TO §§45-17-1 THROUGH 45-17-13 OF THE MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED CIVIL EMERGENCIES, HEREBY ISSUE THIS PROCLAMATION THAT A CIVIL EMERGENCY EXISTS IN THE CITY OF VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI DUE TO THE SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) AND IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND WELFARE, DO HEREBY ORDER PHASE 2 MEASURES FOR THE NEXT 14 DAYS BEGINNING AT NOON ON MARCH 23, 2020 AS FOLLOWS:

1. Social distancing should be enforced throughout the City – stay at least 6 feet away from others to the extent possible.
2. A city-wide curfew will be strictly enforced from 11:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. Persons should not be on the public street or in any public place unless it is for traveling to or from work or for medical personnel in the performance of their duties. First Responders and law enforcement are exempt from this curfew.
3. During this emergency, funeral services are recommended to be held on the property of a funeral home or in the City of Vicksburg Auditorium. Regardless of the location, all funeral services shall be at 11:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m., with a strictly enforced 50-person limit, for the next 14 days. Use of the City Auditorium will allow space for social distancing and will be available for funerals at no cost during this civil emergency. Any repast or other meal will not be allowed at the City Auditorium.
4. Most places that have public assembly such as theaters, churches, places of entertainment, and other places where the public gathers from time to time have already adopted policies of closing or limiting the number of persons allowed inside at the same time. There should not be gatherings of more than 10 people at an event. None of the abovementioned places shall allow gatherings of more than 10 people for the next 14 days.
5. Bars, nightclubs, lounges, taverns shall close, except to the extent that such establishments may only provide take-out, pick-up, delivery, or drive-through services for food as allowed by law. Restaurants and private clubs shall close dine-in services, but may provide pick-up, curbside service, delivery, or drive-through services for food as allowed by law. There shall not be more than 10 employees and 10 customers inside abovementioned businesses at any one time. These establishments must close by 11:00 p.m. and remain closed until 5:00 a.m.
6. Liquor stores shall provide curbside delivery only and have no more than 10 employees inside at any one time.
7. Barber and beauty shops and nail salons/spas shall not have more than 10 employees and 10 customers inside the business at any one time and shall close at 6:00 p.m.
8. Meals for seniors (65 and over) will be available at the Salvation Army on Mondays, March 23 and March 30, and Tuesdays, March 24 and March 31, for curb-side pickup, and at the Jackson Street Center for curb-side pickup on Wednesday, March 25, and the Vicksburg Convention Center Wednesday, April 1 – Friday, April 3. Curb-side pickup will be available at these locations between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Photo ID confirming 65 or older must be provided.
9. The measures detailed in this Proclamation (other than those referring to places that are venues of public assembly) apply only to the specific businesses listed herein.
10. Violations of this Proclamation will be subject to misdemeanor prosecution pursuant to Sec. 45-17-9 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended, and Sec. 1-9 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Vicksburg, Mississippi and up to a $1,000.00 fine.

THIS PROCLAMATION SHALL BE IN EFFECT BEGINNING MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 AT 12:00 NOON AND CONTINUE FOR A PERIOD OF 14 DAYS.

THIS THE 22nd DAY OF MARCH 2020.

(signed)

GEORGE FLAGGS, JR., MAYOR

CITY OF VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI

ATTEST:

WALTER W. OSBORNE, JR., CITY CLERK