Gov. Tate Reeves announced today that he is issuing a ‘shelter-in-place’ order for Lauderdale county to slow the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.
This is the first locality that Reeves has issued a stay at home for after announcing that isolated orders would be coming soon. Lauderdale county has been identified by the Department of Health as a region that is at higher risk for transmission of COVID-19 after a rapid increase in positive cases in recent days. Reeves and other health officials noted an outbreak at a nursing home in the county.
The order remains in place for 14 days.
The guidelines for the order are as follows:
- Individuals are to stay at home except for the limited allowances in the executive order.
- When outside of their homes, people must follow social distancing guidelines by maintaining a 6-foot distance from others and avoid groups of 10 or more.
- Evictions are suspended, though people are still required to pay any rent or make any mortgage payments.
- All nonessential businesses are to stop all activities other than those necessary for minimum operations (e.g. payroll, health insurance, security) and enabling employees to work from home.
- Social and other non-essential gatherings in groups of more than 10 people must be cancelled or rescheduled.
- Restaurants and bars may only remain open for drive-thru, curbside, and/or delivery service.
- People may leave their homes only to perform essential activities, such as caring for someone in the vulnerable population, getting food or necessary supplies, and working for an essential business.
- Individual outdoor recreation is encouraged, but not group recreation or activities such as soccer or basketball games.
Prior to statewide action, the cities of Holly Springs and Tupelo had implemented local stay at home orders.
Last week, Reeves issued a statewide order stopping dine-in services at restaurants, unless there are 10 or less people present, and mandated social distance practices are being followed.
More counties are expected to receive similar orders in the coming days.
