Warren County adopts measures to close bars and limit people in stores and on store property

In a specially called Warren County Board of Supervisors meeting this morning, the board passed an emergency order mandating closure of bars and eliminating loitering on convenience store lots or other retail properties among other measures to slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Following a discussion with Board Attorney Blake Teller as to whether the additional language in the resolution was applicable, the measure passed 4-0. District 4 Supervisor Shawn Jackson was unable to attend this morning’s hastily called session.

The resolution adds provisions in addition to the governor’s executive order yesterday.

District 1 Supervisor Edward Herring said the board conferred with Warren County Emergency Management Director John Elfer and Sheriff Martin Pace regarding certain aspects of the language and scope of the resolution.

Sheriff Pace reported to the Board that the Arby’s located inside the Love’s Truck Stop at Flowers has been in compliance for almost a week. They have closed their dining area and drive through is closed from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. The remainder of the truck stop continues to operate 24/7.

“I commend the Warren County Board of Supervisors for the decisions they’ve made related to COVID-19,” Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs Jr. said in a statement following the meeting. “The collaboration we’re seeing between the two boards is monumental. Vicksburg and Warren County taxpayers are the real winners when our two boards work together.”

Read the full text of the resolution below:

EMERGENCY ORDER TO CONTROL OR RESTRICT EGRESS, INGRESS, AND MOVEMENT WITHIN THE COUNTY DUE TO THE SPREAD OF THE CORONA VIRUS (COVID -19) AND IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND WELFARE

WHEREAS, pursuant to§ 33-15-17 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended, entitled Emergency Management Local Organization, authorizes the Board of Supervisors of the County to enter such resolutions and orders as may be reasonable and necessary to control or restrict egress, ingress and movement within Warren County during an emergency to the degree necessary to facilitate the protection of life and property; and

WHEREAS, the President of the United States and the Governor of Mississippi have declared a state of emergency because of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic; and

WHEREAS, the City of Vicksburg and Warren County passed a Joint Declaration of State of Emergency in Vicksburg Warren County on March 16, 2020; and

WHEREAS, COVID-19 has spread across this nation and is a worldwide pandemic resulting in 320 positive confirmed cases and 1 death in Mississippi as reported by the Mississippi Department of Health as of March 24, 2020; and

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Department of Health and the CDC have advised all citizens to practice social distancing by 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 COVID-19 are necessary for the health, safety, welfare and good order to protect the public.

NOW, THEREFORE, WE, THE WARREN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN THIS BOARD PURSUANT TO §33-15-17 OF THE MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT LOCAL ORGANIZATION, HEREBY ISSUES THIS RESOLUTION AND ORDER THAT AN EMERGENCY EXISTS IN WARREN COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI DUE TO THE SPREAD OF THE CORONA VIRUS (COVID-19) AND IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND WELFARE, DO HEREBY ORDER THAT UNTIL NOON ON APRIL 6, 2020, UNLESS FURTHER EXTENDED, AS FOLLOWS:

1. 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 are already limiting the number of persons allowed inside at the same time. Regardless, 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 as long as this resolution and order is in effect.

2. Bars, nightclubs, lounges, and taverns shall close for the duration of this resolution and order.

3. Restaurants shall close dine-in services, but may provide food for pick-up, curbside service, delivery, or drive-through services to the extent allowed by law. There shall not be more than 10 employees and customers on the premises of the abovementioned businesses at any one time. These establishments must close all pick-up, curbside service, delivery, or drive-through services by 11 :00 p.m. and remain closed until 5:00 a.m.

4. Retail and convenience stores shall allow no more than 10 persons inside the store and no more than 10 persons on the parking lot/gas service areas of the premises at any one time.

5. The measures detailed in this Resolution and Order of Warren County (other than those referring to places that are venues of public assembly) apply only to the specific businesses listed herein which are outside the Vicksburg City limits, and are applicable so long as this resolution and order is in effect.

THIS PROCLAMATION SHALL BE IN EFFECT BEGINNING WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2020 AT 12:00 NOON AND CONTINUE TO NOON APRIL 6, 2020, UNLESS EXTENDED BY FURTHER ORDER OF THIS BOARD.

Ronni Mott contributed to this story.

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