On Tuesday Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves, after consulting with Mississippi Department of Health State Health Officer Dr. Thomas E. Dobbs, announced additional social distancing guidelines for the seven counties, which include Jasper, Attala, Leake, Scott, Neshoba, Newton and Lauderdale. The additional social distancing measures have been set to “limit transmission around the communities and protect the health of all Mississippians,” according to a press release sent from the Governor’s Office Tuesday.
Dr. Dobbs met with Bay Springs Mayor J.E. Smith and the Bay Springs Board of Aldermen Monday morning in Bay Springs. He expressed to the city officials that counties with poultry processing facilities have seen increases with COVID-19 cases. Peco has a processing facility in Bay Springs, and the decision was made on Dobbs’ advice to the board to have the governor add Jasper County to the additional social distancing measures list.
“We’ve seen a lot of counties really have a pretty good increase over the past two or three weeks. It’s a certain number of counties. It’s Attala, Leake, Scott and Neshoba. Newton is starting to pick up, and Lauderdale County has been bad the whole time. Jasper is starting to come up strong, unfortunately,” Dobbs explained to the mayor and board. “We are seeing a lot of cases associated with poultry processing. In Jasper County about 25 percent of the cases are associated with poultry.
“We want to see what we can do to slow it down. Every single one of these counties we’ve talked to have a pretty decent poultry industry. The poultry folks have never quit working. Nissan shut down, and a lot of industry shut down, but a lot of the food stuff working through all the meat of it maybe they were exposed," he continued.
Dobbs went on to say that many people may not know they have the virus but can transmit it.
“The worst thing is those that don’t know they have it. A lot of people aren’t sick enough to know they have it or to get tested. But, they can give it,” he said.
Three representatives from Bay Springs Peco, including Plant Manager Ronnie Tolbert, were also on hand for the meeting with Dobbs and the city officials Monday.
Tolbert explained the Bay Springs facility employs approximately 675 people, and that the facility has been adhering to strict distancing and screening guidelines at the plant since the outbreak of the virus began.
“We have a lot of people out right now,” Tolbert said.
Dobbs mentioned to Tolbert that he could have a COVID-19 testing site set up within 48 hours at the doors of the Bay Springs facility to test all employees as they arrive to work. Tolbert said he would pass that information on to Peco executives.
Reeves signed an executive order Tuesday to establish additional restrictions for the seven counties to slow the spread of COVID-19. According to the press release sent from the Governor’s Office, “This follows the state’s ‘Identify and Isolate’ strategy to implement surgical measures while continuing to flatten the curve.”
“I hope that these rules will have an impact, but I also hope that they will serve as a signal to people in these counties. We cannot always see and feel the consequences, but the disease is more active there. You need to be even more aware — stay even more sharp,” Reeves explained.
According to the press release, through Executive Order No. 1483, the governor lays out targeted guidelines for social distancing and sanitation protocols to slow the spread of COVID-19 within the seven counties, including all businesses.
Business Guidelines
*All businesses are expected to take every step necessary to implement the regulations, orders, and guidance from the Mississippi State Department of Health and CDC to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including social distancing and encouraging sick employees to stay home.
*All employees will be screened daily at the beginning of their shifts, including asking whether they have been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the past 14 days and have they had a fever in the last 48 hours.
*Based on their duties and responsibilities, employees who are unable to maintain at least 6 feet distance from others must wear a face covering throughout their shift, such as a face mask. Their face coverings must be cleaned or replaced daily.
*Hand sanitizer must be provided to all employees, which can include a hand rub or soap.
For retail businesses (in addition to measures above)
*Face coverings must be provided to all employees who come in direct contact with customers. Employees are required to wear that face covering throughout their shift and clean or replace daily.
*All customers must wear a face covering while inside the retail business.
*Hand sanitizer must be placed at all entrances, in or near bathrooms, and at cashier stations.
*Retail businesses are expected to make all efforts to maintain a 6-foot distance between customers at all times.
*Carts, baskets, and other similar surfaces touched by customers must be sanitized after each use. Other high-touch areas must be sanitized at least once every two hours.
For People out in Public
*Everyone must wear face coverings when attending outdoor public events, such as live auctions or flea markets.
*People must maintain a 6-foot distance between themselves and others.
As of May 12, according to the Mississippi Department of Health, Jasper County has 92 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with two deaths. Statewide, there are 9,908 confirmed cases of the virus, with 457 deaths.