New order delays some schools & includes statewide mask mandate

JACKSON,  Miss. (WCBI)- Governor Tate Reeves is delaying the start of some schools in the state on top of issuing a statewide mask mandate.

The governor and State Health Officer Doctor Thomas Dobbs urging Mississippians to not socialize for the next two weeks.

Eight counties in Mississippi fall under the guidelines of the Governor’s executive order to delay the start of school. The order is for 7th through 12 grades in the following counties:

Bolivar, Coahoma, Hinds, George, Forrest, Panola, Sunflower, and Washington Counties.

The first day of school is being delayed until August 17th for in-person learning.

Governor Reeves is also requiring masks to be worn in schools. Students, teachers, and staff will be required to wear a mask unless you have some sort of health issue.

On top of that, the governor also issued a statewide mask order for Mississippi.

Any gatherings or public spaces, folks will be required to wear a mask.

Governor Reeves says the state’s test positivity rate is too high.

The goal of the orders the governor says it so help prevent a rampant spread of the virus and keep from an extension of school closures for Mississippi kids.

“We’ve got to find a way to balance the risk, recognizing there’s going to be some spread of the virus, recognizing the risk to those under the age of 60 from the coronavirus, is much different than the risk of those over the age of 60, unless of course there are pre-existing conditions. We’re just going to have to deal with those on an individual basis,” said Gov. Reeves.

The governor also stated that any school district that intended on starting in-person classes before the 17th, that it’d be in the best interest to push that in-person start back.

Prior to Tuesday’s statewide mask mandate, 37 counties were under a mask order and the governor says the spread of the virus was slowing.