In an emergency meeting of the Jones County Board of Supervisors, the supervisors voted unanimously to uphold the mask mandate in Jones County until they meet again during their regular board meeting Monday, October 5. This decision will require those attending the Laurel Gun Show at the Magnolia Center this weekend to wear a mask and adhere to the 75% capacity.
On Thursday, Governor Tate Reeves issued Executive Order 1525, which lifted the mask mandate. Reeves, however, recommended Mississippians continue to wear masks, especially in those counties that are seeing an uptick in COVID-19 cases.
“Jones County and Lamar County still have high numbers,” stated Johnny Barnett, board president, referring to the number of COVID-19 cases reported in the two counties.
Although Larry Dykes boldly stated, “I don’t wear masks,” he voted to uphold the mask mandate through the weekend.
The Board of Supervisors will revisit the issue Monday morning during their regular monthly board meeting and asked board attorney Danielle Ashley to review the governor’s Executive Order 1525.