Employees of Hattiesburg businesses operating during the COVID-19 lockdown must start wearing protective masks starting at 5 p.m. Friday, Mayor Toby Barker said Wednesday when issuing an executive order.
The order will be enforced until April 30. The masks will be worn by employees who work in or move about the same workspace as other employees or the same room as the public, Barker said.
“This is all about preventing the worst-case scenario, because we know what that looks like,” he said in a social media release. “We can look at other parts of the country who are in the throes of this – the worst parts of this. We can prevent that from happening in Hattiesburg and our surrounding areas if we just take practical responsible steps to slow the spread. Wear a mask while out, only do what is essential, and stay home.”
The executive order defines “mask” as any face covering including, but not limited to fabric masks, homemade linen or cloth masks, household dust masks, handkerchief, scarves, surgical masks or N95 masks.
The order does not require an employer to buy a certain type of mask.
Nothing in the executive order shall prevent a business from implementing a more restrictive policy in terms of masks or others measures to contain and prevent transmission of COVID-19.
All social distancing requirements and limits on gatherings of more than 10 people from previous mayoral executive orders as well as Gov. Tate Reeves’ executive orders shall remain in effect.
This executive order shall be enforced, including penalties for the violation as authorized by statute, by the Hattiesburg Police Department, the Hattiesburg Fire Department, other local enforcement or another city department.