Mississippi on Tuesday became the latest state to lift its mask mandate and other coronavirus restrictions, Gov. Tate Reeves (R) announced.
Effective tomorrow, Reeves said the state’s current public health executive orders will be replaced by recommendations.
“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,” Reeves said during a press conference.
The announcement in Mississippi came at the same time Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) lifted his state’s mask mandate and capacity restrictions.
The Biden administration has been urging states not to lift restrictions yet but has so far declined to call out governors by name.
Reeves said businesses will be allowed to make their own policies but that “the governor’s office is getting out of the business of telling people what they can and can’t do.”
The only places where restrictions, including mask mandates, will remain in effect will be in K-12 schools, Reeves said.
Schools in the state have been open since the first week of August.
“I believe the most consequential debate playing out in America today is whether children should be in the classroom learning,” Reeves said.
Reeves also said indoor arenas will have a capacity limit of 50 percent.
The governor urged people to use their best judgement and said the fact that restrictions are being lifted doesn’t mean COVID-19 is no longer a concern.
……..
- Discussion
-
Mississippi lifts mask mandate, allows businesses to fully reopen https://t.co/SqSnBrmTxh pic.twitter.com/5P4LvFnMFi
— The Hill (@thehill) March 3, 2021
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.