US: Mississippi extends coronavirus disease-related facemask order in most counties of the state, through Feb. 3 /update 22

Officials in Mississippi, US, have extended facemask orders in 75 of the state's counties, through Feb. 3 due to COVID-19 activity.

Event

Authorities in Mississippi have extended their existing orders making the use of protective facemasks mandatory in most counties in the state, as part of their efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), through at least Feb. 3.

The new order adds Claiborne and Tunica counties to the jurisdictions where the use of facemask is mandatory, while removing Adams, Jefferson, Lawrence, Quitman and Wilkinson counties.

The instruction now applies to 75 of Mississippi's 82 counties. The affected counties are as follows:

Alrcorn, Amite, Attala, Benton, Bolivar, Calhoun, Carroll, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Claiborne, Clarke, Clay, Coahoma, Copiah, Covington, De Soto, Forrest, Franklin, George, Greene, Grenada, Hancock, Harrison, Hinds, Holmes, Humphreys, Itawamba, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson Davis, Jones, Kemper, Lafayette, Lamar, Lauderdale, Leake, Lee, Leflore, Lincoln, Lowndes, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Monroe, Montgomery, Neshoba, Newton, Noxubee, Oktibbeha, Panola, Pearl River, Perry, Pike, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Ranking, Scott, Simpson, Smith, Stone, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tate, Tippah, Tishomingo, Tunica, Union, Walthall, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Webster, Winston, Yalobusha, and Yazoo counties

Adams, Jefferson, Lawrence, Quitman, Wilkinson, Issaquena, and Sharkey counties are the only ones exempt.

Other restrictions remain unchanged statewide. Indoor social gatherings and recreational activities are limited to a maximum of 10 people; similar activities outdoors are restricted to no more than 50 people whenever social distancing is not possible. Religious entities and classrooms are exempt. Restaurants and bars can operate at 75-percent capacity provided they comply with Mississippi's social distancing standards for such establishments; the sale of alcohol is prohibited between the hours of 2300-0700 daily. Reception halls and convention centers can operate at 50-percent capacity, or 75-percent capacity if all event attendees are seated. Auditoriums and movie theaters can operate at 50-percent capacity.

Indoor arenas can allow up to 10 percent of the venue's capacity or a maximum of 1,000 people, while outdoor arenas can allow up to 25 percent of the venue's capacity. Attendance at indoor school events is limited to 250 people; the size of outdoor school events is restricted to 50-percent of the venue's capacity. Except as otherwise stipulated, businesses may operate at 75-percent capacity, provided they comply social distancing standards and ensure employees use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). At personal care businesses, customers must also wear facemasks.

Authorities also urge businesses to keep employees working from home whenever possible. Residents 65 years of age or older, and those with underlying health conditions, are advised to remain home as much as possible. Authorities continue to urge residents to wear facemasks in other settings statewide.

County and municipal authorities are allowed to impose stricter restrictions within their jurisdictions if they consider it necessary. Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Heed the directives of the authorities. Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.