JACKSON, Miss — If you live in the Magnolia state you’ll no longer be mandated to wear a mask or face covering.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves announced Tuesday that he’s lifting mask mandates for all counties.
Reeves said his office is getting out of the business of telling people what they can and cannot do.
“The reason the government is no longer telling you that is because of the actions we’ve taken over the last 12 months has gotten us to a point where our total hospitalizations today the second day of March 2021 is about where we were in late May,” said the governor.
While there will be no state mask mandate, there are still recommendations for all to continue to follow.
“This new order removes all of our county mask mandates and allows businesses to operate at full capacity without state-imposed rules or restrictions,” said Reeves.
The Mississippi governor said residents are encouraged but not required to wear a face covering citing plummeting hospitalizations and lower case numbers.
“If businesses or individuals decide to take additional precautions they are absolutely within their rights,” Reeves added.
The governor is still urging people to still use their best judgment and listen to the state health officer. Dr. Thomas Dobbs.
The Mississippi State Health Department is asking all Mississippians 65 and older or 16 and up with serious chronic medical conditions to avoid social gatherings outside of the household until vaccinated.
“Do stuff outdoors, don’t group together indoors with a lot of folks,” said State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs. “There’s no way in heck I would go sit in a crowded bar right now indoors or out really. Please exercise caution right now.”
The new order does state K-12 schools are required to wear masks when social distancing is not possible.
There is also a capacity limit of 50 percent on indoor arenas.
The order goes into effect Wednesday at 5 p.m. and will extend until at least March 31st.
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Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves announced Tuesday that the state is lifting mask mandates for all counties, starting Wednesday. Instead of mandates, Reeves said there are still "recommendations" for all to continue to follow guidance.
The following news release comes from the Mississippi Governor's Office:
"Today, Governor Tate Reeves signed Executive Order 1549. This order will go into effect at 5:00 PM on March 3rd and stay in effect until March 31st.
"Today, I signed what I expect will be one of my last executive orders regarding COVID-19. Our hospitalizations have plummeted, and our case numbers have fallen dramatically as well. In fact, our case numbers have fallen to the point where no county meets the original criteria for a mask mandate," said Governor Tate Reeves.
"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% on indoor arenas, and those that govern K-12 schools."
Mississippians are encouraged, though not ordered, to wear a face covering and practice social distancing. K-12 schools will still require a mask where social distancing is not possible. Seating for K-12 extracurricular activities at outdoor venues is now set at 50% capacity and 25% maximum seating capacity inside. Seating capacity for indoor bowl and arena seating is now increased to 50%.
A copy of executive order 1549 can be found here."