Last Tuesday, March 2, Governor Tate Reeves signed what he expects to be one of his last executive orders concerning the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reeves signed Executive Order No. 1549 effectively repealing Executive Order 1535 and Executive Order 1536 and all amendments.
Executive Order 1549 ended the mandatory mask mandate for all counties. While the mask mandate has ended, Reeves continued to encourage citizens to exercise caution and continue to social distance, limit capacity on gatherings, and use face coverings.
The restrictions on businesses and events have been lifted. While no longer mandatory, businesses are still encouraged to implement screening protocols, adopt measures to encourage appropriate PPE, encourage social distancing between customers, and frequently clean high contact areas.
Indoor areas will carry a limit on seating capacity. According to Executive Order 1549 bowling arena seating shall be limited to 50 percent capacity, club areas and suites will be limited to 75 percent capacity.
Reeves said, “I am replacing our current orders with recommendations. Everyone should continue to listen to Dr. Dobbs and other health advisors for the best possible wisdom regarding how you can personally stem any risk of catching COVID. Their insight is valuable. The only rules that will remain in this order are a capacity limit of 50 percent on indoor arenas, and those that govern K-12 schools."
Face coverings will still be required in schools. According to Executive Order 1549 every person in Mississippi shall wear a face covering while inside a school building or classroom or when outdoors on a school campus whenever it is not possible to maintain social distancing. Also attendance at K-12 extracurricular events will still have capacity limitations.
Attendance at outdoor venues will be limited to a maximum of 50 percent capacity, and indoor events shall be limited to a maximum of 25 percent of the venues’ seating capacity. Attendees are encouraged to wear face coverings and practice social distancing.
County and local municipal authorities will still have the authority to adopt orders, rules, and regulations that are stricter than those established in the order, provide they do not impose restrictions preventing any essential business operations.
