CITY OF HATTIESBURG NEWS

May 26 – Daily Update

Today’s update rounds out all of the current executive orders into one place and goes over what began today with both Governor Reeves’ Orders 1487 & 1488 and Mayor Barker’s Executive Order 2020-9. Governor Reeves’ Executive Orders 1487 & 1488 Opens outdoor recreation and amusement (playgrounds, water parks, etc.) at 50% capacity. Opens school sports practices, weight rooms and training...

May 22 – Daily Update

Today’s update includes several notes for you going into the weekend regarding mask distribution, the Hattiesburg Way Forward – a resource guide to reopening businesses safely, Gov. Reeves’ latest orders, new openings on Tuesday and a note about Memorial Day. Mask Distribution On Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24, masks can be picked up at the Forrest County EOC...

May 21 – Daily Update

Today’s update includes information about the mall reopening and mask distribution by the Forrest County Emergency Management. Turtle Creek Mall On Tuesday, May 26, Turtle Creek Mall will reopen. This entails: No food court seating. Masks required. Customer occupancy limits will be per square footage guidelines, same as other nonessential retail (outlined in Executive Order 2020-5. Entertainment venues continue to be...

Hattiesburg Breaks Ground on Ninth Fire Station

Hattiesburg Breaks Ground on Ninth Fire Station

Hattiesburg, Mississippi – On Wednesday morning, the City of Hattiesburg broke ground on its ninth fire station – which will provide the residents and business owners of north Hattiesburg with better response times and better insurance rates.  “Today, we officially break ground on this facility – keeping our commitment to do it and to help the existing residents and businesses...

May 15 – Daily Update

Beginning Monday, May 18, the following will open: → Nail Salons Following all appointment measures, sanitization protocols and social distancing measures for hair salons and barbershops from Exec. Order 2020-6. → Tattoo Shops Following guidelines identified in Gov. Reeves’ Exec. Order 1486. → Indoor Dining at Restaurants Following the 50% total capacity limitations, all sanitization and social distancing measures for...

Hattiesburg Announces Free Community Testing Center for COVID-19

Hattiesburg Announces Free Community Testing Center for COVID-19

Hattiesburg, Mississippi – To accelerate testing capacity and access for residents in Hattiesburg, the City of Hattiesburg is partnering with the Forrest County Emergency Management District, the Forrest County Board of Supervisors, Hattiesburg Clinic, Forrest General and the Mississippi Department of Health to provide a free COVID-19 community testing center at C.E. Roy Community Center (500 E Fifth Street).  The...

May 14 – Daily Update

Today’s update includes a recap of the COVID-19 testing center that was announced today, the go-cup ordinance that was passed for the entire city by the Hattiesburg City Council this afternoon, information about masks and hand sanitizer for businesses/organizations and a reminder about assistance applications. COVID-19 Testing To accelerate testing capacity and access for residents in Hattiesburg, the City of...

May 11 – Daily Update

During Mayor Barker’s briefing today, he announced that restaurants can begin operating outdoor dining (only) on Thursday, May 14 at 8 a.m. This executive order will be signed and sent out by Wednesday. Today’s notice was to allow restaurants the time needed to prepare for opening. The order will include the following stipulations: Must limit customers to 50% of outdoor...

Barbershops, Salons & Gyms to Open on May 11 in Hattiesburg with More Stringent Guidelines

Hattiesburg, Mississippi – Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker announced Saturday that barbershops, salons and gym facilities in the city limits will open following Governor Reeves Executive Order 1480, but with more stringent guidelines. “Two weeks ago, we announced that reopening the city would include a measured approach – one built on local data and one built with the input of business...

May 6 – Daily Update

Please see the following notes regarding Governor Reeves’ Executive Order 1478 in Hattiesburg. Parks: The sections of Governor Reeves’ Executive Order 1478 regarding state parks, municipal parks and outdoor recreational activities will stand without additional restrictions beginning May 7, at 8 a.m. Restaurants While Gov. Reeves’ order provides a baseline for restaurants to open indoor/outdoor dining at 50% capacity beginning...

May 4 – Daily Update

Today’s update looks at time-sensitive information regarding economic impact payments from the IRS, how to properly wear a mask, a free community testing availability for South Hattiesburg and the Palmer’s Crossing Community and an update regarding Gov. Reeves’ Executive Order 1478. ECONOMIC IMPACT PAYMENTS The Internal Revenue Service is reminding all who receive Supplemental Security Income and who are Department...

City Administration Shares Financial Impact of Hattiesburg’s Reduction in Force

Hattiesburg, Mississippi – On Monday, April 27, the City of Hattiesburg announced plans to move forward with a reduction in force process in response to projected shortfalls in sales tax revenues from COVID-19’s effect on the Hattiesburg economy. As of Friday, May 1, the city’s administration moved forward with a reduction in force that included 27 vacant positions and 39...