In an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus, the Leflore County Board of Supervisors approved a mask mandate Monday and also discussed offering free COVID-19 testing.
The board voted unanimously to require that face masks be worn anytime indoors in public starting at 11 p.m. Tuesday. The resolution follows the same guidelines as passed by the Greenwood City Council last week.
“Leflore County has experienced one of the largest spikes in COVID-19 positive results within the state of Mississippi over the past several weeks,” the resolution starts. “There is a critical need to mitigate the spread of this novel virus in our community.”
District 1 Supervisor Sam Abraham made the motion to approve a resolution that matches the city’s, so there would not be confusion between the two orders. The motion passed, 5-0.
This means penalties are the same, with a misdemeanor fine of up to $1,000.
Businesses throughout the county are also required to post signs by their entrances requiring the use of masks. Patrons who do not wear masks should be asked to leave, according to the resolution put out by the city.
The mask, which does not need to be a medical or N95 mask, can be made of any type of material that covers a person’s mouth and nose. This includes such pieces as a T-shirt or scarf.
The requirement includes the following exceptions:
• People who can’t wear masks due to a medical or behavioral condition.
• Restaurant patrons who are dining.
• Private individual offices or offices with fewer than 10 employees.
• At areas where physical barriers have been set up to prohibit contact between customers and employees.
• Small offices where the public does not interact with the employer.
•Other settings where it’s not feasible to wear a mask, such as when swimming or receiving dental services.
• Children under 5.
Also, Fred Randle, director of the Greenwood-Leflore Emergency Management Agency, announced that there will be free testing for the first 500 people on Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Leflore County Civic Center.
The testing will be done through the Delta Health Center, and patients need not be showing symptoms in order to be tested, Randle said.
•Contact Adam Bakst at 581-7233 or abakst@gwcommonwealth.com. Twitter: @AdamBakst_GWCW
