During a Facebook Live Q&A Session, Governor Tate Reeves stated that there are no current plans to enact a statewide shutdown.
While certain states like New York, California, Washington, Louisiana and others have issued “stay-at-home orders”, Governor Reeves said that the MSDH has made no such recommendation to issue a lockdown order in Mississippi.
Without a lockdown order, Governor Reeves did stress the importance for everyone to follow CDC guidelines to help slow the spread of the virus. The guidelines include social distancing, avoiding gatherings of 10 or more people, practicing proper hand-washing hygiene and staying home when you’re sick.
New testing sites are available across the state, and the Governor and the Department of Health continue to state that not everyone needs to be tested. Currently, tests are reserved for those showing symptoms, the elderly and healthcare workers.
Currently, Mississippi has 2,700 beds in the state’s healthcare system with 900 beds available. Governor Reeves said that, if needed, certain facilities would be able to expand their capacity.
Governor Reeves also stated that the deadline to file state taxes will be pushed to mid-May.
