The City of Bay Springs Board of Aldermen on November 17 voted unanimously to declare a state of emergency due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. During that meeting, the board also agreed unanimously on a mandate that masks must be worn in any and all businesses, commercial buildings, and public buildings located inside the city limits.
The mask mandate extends through January 5, 2021.
Bay Springs Mayor J.E. Smith Tuesday continued to stress the importance of wearing a mask to help prevent the spread of the virus.
“I ask you again to please wear a mask in the public, in stores, or wherever you are in contact with other people. It not only protects you, but others around you,” he explained.
Smith also asked for continued cooperation from area businesses during the hard and uncertain time.
“I also ask the merchants to ask their customers to wear a mask. This virus is spreading rapidly and killing thousands of people every day,” he said. “I know you may forget until you get to the business door to wear a mask; I have. But, please return to your vehicle and get your mask to wear. Thank you so much for cooperating, and let’s together try and rid this virus from our country. The only way we can is to stop its spread in its tracks.”
As of December 7, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health, 1,732 new COVID-19 positive test results were reported throughout the state, along with 56 COVID-19 related deaths (none in Jasper County).
Since the virus made its way to Jasper County earlier this year, 946 local, positive COVID-19 cases have been reported to the Mississippi State Department of Health, with 24 deaths attributed to the virus in the county.