Vicksburg COVID-19 Civil Emergency Order effective May 15 – June 7

PROCLAMATION OF CITY OF VICKSBURG TO MINIMIZE THE RISK OF INFECTION 

EVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID–19 EFFECTIVE SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021, 

AT 8:00 A.M. THROUGH NOON ON JUNE 7, 2021 

WHEREAS, pursuant to $33–15–17 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended, the City of Vicksburg, (“is authorized 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, $33–15–17 authorizes the City to control or restrict egress, ingress and movement within City of Vicksburg, outside the City limits of Vicksburg, necessary to facilitate the protection of life and property; and 

WHEREAS, pursuant to these laws, the City is authorized to issue such orders as deemed necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of City of Vicksburg, outside the City limits of Vicksburg, Mississippi; and 

WHEREAS, the Coronavirus (COVID–19) that has spread across this nation is a worldwide pandemic; and 

WHEREAS, previous emergency orders of the State and City have required that persons stay at home and take other precautionary measures; and that certain businesses be closed in order to prevent the spread of COVID–19; and 

1. and 

WHEREAS, the COVID–19 pandemic remains a matter of importance in City of Vicksburg, and it is necessary for City to move cautiously to safely operate businesses and allow citizens to safely work; and 

WHEREAS, the City desires to continue to encourage safe practices by its citizens but will not continue to order certain behavior. 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AND PROCLAIMED BY THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF VICKSBURG, pursuant to $33–15–17 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, and such other powers as the City may have, the City finds the COVID-19 pandemic remains an emergency in City of Vicksburg with continuing numbers of confirmed cases and deaths in City of Vicksburg, and it is necessary for the City to safely open businesses and allow citizens to safely return to work in the midst of the pandemic, and hereby resolves and proclaims the following recommendations apply to City of Vicksburg: 

1. 1. FOR ALL BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS, whether for profit or nonprofit, which sell items or services to the public, or which offer services to the public of whatever nature, including government and charitable services, (collectively hereinafter “Businesses”), the business owner, operator, director, supervisor, or manager, (collectively hereinafter “Employers”), whether operating indoors or outdoors, and whether conducting 

operations or activities on or off the premises of such business or organization, shall specify the following for their specific businesses: 

1. a. Requirements for employees and volunteer workers to wear a face covering or mask, covering the mouth and nose, while on duty or in close proximity to others. 
2. Requirements for any person entering the business facilities or premises, or participating in any operation or activity of the business or organization on or off premises, to wear a face covering or mask, covering nose and mouth, when in close proximity to others.. 
3. c. Provision of hand sanitizer to all employees and to all other persons at points of entry and exit, in or near the bathrooms, and at the cashier or payment
4. d. Encouragement to employees and those entering the business to make all reasonable efforts to maintain not less than 6 feet separation between all persons at all times. 
5. e. Sanitizing of carts and baskets and all other surfaces that are routinely contacted by customers during the course of providing services after each use. 
6. Posting of sign(s) notifying all persons of face covering or mask requirements prior to entering the business facilities or premises or while participating in such business or organization operations or activities whether or not on the entity‘s premises. 
7. Gas stations should post a sign notifying all persons that it is prudent to maintain social distancing and to wear a mask while pumping gas when in close proximity to others while doing so. 
8. 2. ALL BUSINESSES should continue to screen employers, employees, and volunteers by asking: 
9. a. Have you been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID–19, in the past 14 days? 
10. b. Are you experiencing a cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat? c. Have you had a fever in the last 48 hours? d. Have you had a new loss of taste or smell? e. Have you had vomiting or diarrhea in the last 24 hours? 
11. 3. ALL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: In addition to the aforementioned business and organizational requirements, face coverings are encouraged for any individual who will come in contact with any other individual (outside of their immediate household members or where all members are known to be vaccinated) and who will be unable to maintain strict social distancing of six (6) feet or more from other than these aforementioned individuals. The CDC continues to recommend that members of the public, particularly those with health risks, avoid 

large indoor gatherings with groups of unknown or differing levels of vaccination. When such cases are necessary, it is strongly recommended that facial coverings and masks be employed. 

4. SPECIAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCE: The Special Task Force previously created will resume operations. There shall be a minimum of eleven (11) patrol officers, a watch commander and deputy chief on duty each Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights from 7:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. through the duration of this order. 
5. JUVENILE CURFEW: In order to decrease juvenile gatherings and prevent the spread of COVID–19 among juveniles, preserve the resources of the Vicksburg Police Department, and to keep good order, a curfew will be in place for juveniles 17 and under from 7:30 p.m. until 7:30 a.m. Juveniles should not be on the public streets during this time unless: 
6. a. the juvenile is traveling to or from work; b. the juvenile is with a parent or responsible guardian; c. the juvenile is going to or coming from a legitimate school 

function; d. the juvenile is going to or coming from an organized youth sport 

activity 

Violation of this EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION will be subject to misdemeanor prosecution pursuant to Sec. 45–17–9 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended, Sec. 33–15–7 and Sec. 1-9 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Vicksburg, including a fine of up to $1,000.00 and 90 days in jail. 

THIS RESOLUTION AND PROCLAMATION OF CITY OF VICKSBURG SHALL BE IN EFFECT BEGINNING SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021, AT 8:00 A.M., AND SHALL CONTINUE UNTIL NOON ON JUNE 7, 2021, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED