News

Mississippi’s GOP Gov. Tate Reeves Overrides Local Officials’ Response To Coronavirus, Orders Businesses To Reopen

The governor of Mississippi has issued an executive order which effectively overrode several local officials’ responses to the coronavirus pandemic by declaring a slew of businesses including gun shops, department stores and rideshare apps as “essential.”

Gov. Tate Reeves‘ (R) order says that “any order, rule, regulation or action by any governing body, agency or political subdivision of the state that imposes any additional freedom of movement or social distancing limitations on Essential Business or Operation, restricts scope of services or hours of operation of any Essential Business or Operation, or which will or might in any way conflict with or impede the purpose of this Executive Order is suspended and unenforceable during this COVID-19 State of Emergency.”

CORONAVIRUS FAQ: WIKI OF MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

While discouraging its residents from gathering in groups of 10 or more people, the order stated “this does not apply” to grocery stores, airports and workplaces.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of political news in your in-box.
We find the news you need to know, so you don't have to.

Reeves has promoted social distancing to slow the spread of the virus, and urged businesses to “allow every worker that can to work from home” in a Facebook post. In his order, businesses are encouraged to let their employees work from home “to the extent feasible,” but made significant exceptions for companies necessary for public health and the economy.

The order also permits restaurants to provide dine-in meals, as long as they follow social distancing protocol. This allowance directly contradicts advice from the Mississippi State Department of Health, which recommended on Friday that all restaurants pause dine-in services.

As of Monday, Mississippi has had 847 reported cases and 16 deaths.

Coronavirus cases have continued to rise all over the U.S., and 30 states have issued “stay at home” or “shelter in place” orders which have shut down nearly all businesses except for grocery stores, pharmacies and medical facilities.

Katherine Huggins

Share
Published by
Katherine Huggins

Recent Posts

Republicans Push Back On Trump’s Proposed 30% National Park Service Cuts

President Donald Trump has proposed a 30% budget cut to the National Park Service (NPS),…

9 hours ago

Judge Orders EPA To Continue Funding Environmental Justice Grants For Low-Income & Minority Communities Terminated By Trump Administration

A federal judge ruled that the $600 million in environmental justice grants terminated by the…

9 hours ago

Former Rep. Colin Allred Tries Again To Flip Texas Senate Seat – Control Of Senate Could Hang In The Balance

Last month, former Rep. Colin Allred (D-Texas) announced his run for Senate. Allred previously lost…

11 hours ago

Biden Says He Authorized All Pardon Decisions After Republicans Claim Many Were Issued Without His Knowledge

Former President Joe Biden said he had granted every pardon and commutation issued at the…

15 hours ago

Senate Confirms Trump Nominee To Head FAA, Bryan Bedford, Who Falsely Claimed To Have Commercial Pilot’s License On Resume

Bryan Bedford, President Donald Trump's nominee to head the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), was confirmed…

15 hours ago

Trump Orders Strict Rules To Discourage Clean Energy Projects In Nod House Conservatives

Following the recent passage of the “Big, Beautiful Bill,” President Donald Trump has instructed the…

1 day ago