This afternoon, Governor Tate Reeves issued a Shelter in Place Order (Executive Order No. 1466). We realize that it may present a lot of questions; so we’ve broken it down for you below.
Should your question not be answered here, please feel free to ask and we’ll do our best to answer.
WHAT IS A SHELTER IN PLACE ORDER?
It’s an order – in this instance from Governor Tate Reeves – that orders that you stay at home unless you are going out for an essential need.
HOW WILL THINGS BE DIFFERENT NOW IN HATTIESBURG VERSUS WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN OVER THE PAST WEEK OR TWO?
The good news is that this order reinforces what so much of our community is already doing, but it also provides for several additional guidelines, and we’ll walk through what you can do and what you cannot do under a shelter in place
However, the main differences here are:
- This order does close nonessential businesses and non-profit entities, except for what are called minimum operations. Minimum operations are activities necessary for the business or operation to maintain the condition of facilities, equipment and also back-office operations such as inventory or payroll; and whatever is necessary to continue working remotely from home.
- This does mean that nonessential retail stores must close. In our most recent order last week, we allowed for access by appointment or by the curbside. This changes that. If you are not essential retail – that means if you are not a grocery store, food/beverage store, convenience store, pharmacies, hardware and building material store, gas station or restaurant doing carryout, pick up or delivery – if you are not one of those, you must cease operations.
- This “shelter in place order” from Governor Reeves also closes salons and barbershops.
- Another difference – one that we welcome – is that all evictions are suspended until the shelter in place order is over. Governor Reeves has that power, and he is using it to keep people in their homes during this time. However, you are still on the hook for your rent or your mortgage. And as we talked about yesterday, we encourage everyone – landlord, tenant, bank – to do right by one another and by our city.
- This order also sets some limits on recreation. Using our many walking trails – that is permitted. Group recreation, such as softball games and pickup basketball games, will not be permitted. We will be working with our Parks & Rec department on interpreting and implementing this new rule.
HOW LONG IS THE ORDER FOR:
5 p.m. on Friday, April 3, 2020 – 8 a.m. on Monday, April 20, 2020 – unless rescinded, modified or extended.
WILL IT BE ENFORCED?
Yes. By local authority, all provisions within the governor’s executive order and the previous executive orders by Mayor Barker will be enforced by the Hattiesburg Police Department and the Hattiesburg Fire Department. See all documents at hattiesburgms.com/coronavirus
For those not in compliance, business names can be emailed to mayor@hattiesburgms.com or call 601-545-4501.
WHAT CAN I DO – ASIDE FROM STAYING HOME?
- Go to the grocery store or pharmacy for essential needs.
- Go to medical appointments (after checking with your health care provider first).
- Go to restaurants (for take-out, delivery or drive-thru only).
- Go outside (while practicing social distancing ~6ft between you and others) or walking trails.
- Go to work at an essential business or provide an essential service, as defined by the Governor’s Executive Order No. 1463 (https://www.hattiesburgms.com/wp-content/uploads/Reeves_Order_1466.pdf) or by CISA (https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/CISA_Guidance_on_the_Essential_Critical_Infrastructure_Workforce_Version_2.0_Updated.pdf).
WHAT CAN I NOT DO?
- Go to work at any business that is not deemed essential.
- Anything that is deemed non-essential (leisure shopping, group recreation, attending church, etc.)
- Visit with friends and family (while social distancing is encouraged in groups of 10 or fewer, it is not an excuse to bypass the gatherings rules).
- Don’t visit loved ones in the hospital or those who may have compromised immune systems.
WHAT IS CLOSED?
- Non-essential businesses. Per the governor’s order, this includes any business/industry not listed per the Governor’s Executive Order 1463. This order does clarify that the following businesses are not essential: fitness and gyms, dance studios, clubs, tattoo parlors, spas, salons, barbershops and other similar personal care and grooming facilities.
- While walking trails are still available for use, all places of amusement and recreation, whether indoors or outdoors, including but not limited to amusement parks and rides, museums, playgrounds, children’s party and play facilities, all parks including all beaches, lakes and reservoirs, movie theaters, bowling alleys and social clubs are closed.
WHAT IS ESSENTIAL?
- Engaging in activities that are necessary to healthy and safety of yourself, those living in your household (including pets) or those who are unable to or should not leave their home. This includes groceries and supplies that are needed to maintain the safety’s sanitation and essential operation of a home.
- Engaging in individual outdoor activity and recreation – without going to parks or the places of recreation that were included in the non-essential closures list.
- Going to a job that is deemed as an essential business or operations (defined by the Governor’s Executive Order No. 1463 (https://www.hattiesburgms.com/wp-content/uploads/Reeves_Order_1466.pdf) or by CISA (https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/CISA_Guidance_on_the_Essential_Critical_Infrastructure_Workforce_Version_2.0_Updated.pdf)..
- Traveling to care for the elderly, minors, dependents, a person with disabilities, or other vulnerable individuals.
- Traveling to or from education institutions, public and private k-12 schools, colleges and universities and other educational institutions for the purpose of receiving materials for distance learning, receiving meals and other related purposes.
- Traveling to or from home.
- Travel required by law or court order, including to transport children per custody agreements.
IF YOU DO HAVE TO TAKE PART IN ESSENTIAL ACTIVITIES, HERE IS HOW YOU MAINTAIN HEALTHY STANDARDS:
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Maintain social distance (minimum of 6ft from others who do not live inside your home).
- Wear gloves or a mask if you have one.
