Greenwood and Leflore County will continue their own social restriction measures following Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves’ decision to extend his statewide shelter-in-place order for at least another week to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“We’ll follow the governor,” Greenwood Mayor Carolyn McAdams said Friday, indicating the city would continue its 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily curfew and its own social-distancing measures.
The county’s curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. also will likely continue. “I can’t see taking it off right now,” said Robert Collins, president of the Leflore County Board of Supervisors.
Reeves’ shelter-in-place order, which directs residents to mostly remain in their homes and includes a ban on non-essential social gatherings of more than 10 people, was originally scheduled to expire Monday morning until he announced Friday that he would extend it until April 27.
He did so because the state is in the worst part of the coronavirus curve, he said. There have been almost 3,800 cases of COVID-19 and 140 deaths attributed to the respiratory illnesss, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health’s update Friday.
Executive Order No. 1473, signed by Gov. Tate Reeves on April 17, extends shelter in place until April 27 and relaxes some restrictions on nonessential businesses, beaches and lakes.
Greenwood’s prohibition of social gatherings larger than 10, which went into effect March 23, and its curfew, which went into effect April 3, were both set to expire Monday morning, in concurrence with the governor’s original end date for his shelter-in-place order.
Residents who violate the city’s curfew, unless they are traveling for work-related reasons or have a medical emergency, are subject to a $1,000 fine.
Police Chief Jody Bradley said by email Wednesday that three individuals and one business were ticketed last week for violating the curfew.
Meanwhile, McAdams relaxed modestly for one retailer her latest order, which restricts how many customers can be in the city’s larger stores.
The mayor said she increased the customer limit to 150 for Walmart, given the store’s larger retail space. The 125-customer limit will remain in place for the other stores targeted: Greenwood Market Place, Save A Lot, Big Star and Dirt Cheap.
The executive order also allows only two customers per shopping cart and directs the stores to ensure shoppers travel only one way in an aisle.
On Friday, at stores such as Walmart and Dirt Cheap, customers lined up outside while store associates controlled the flow of people entering.
The Board of Supervisors adopted the county’s curfew April 6. Collins, who represents District 5, said it was his impression the board already had set the end date as April 30, following President Donald Trump’s recommendation. If need be, the board can hold a special meeting to act on how long the curfew will remain in effect, he said.
The board’s intention when it ordered the curfew also was to prevent people from gathering in the county because of the city’s curfew. Collins said the county’s law enforcement officers have been pulling drivers over, asking them where they are going and enforcing the curfew.
He said he is worried that people are not protecting themselves well enough. “I walked up to a Double Quick. They had at least 15 to 20 people in it,” he said. “So I didn’t go in it. I stepped back into my pickup and drove off.”
Collins called for easier and greater availability of COVID-19 testing. “I know we have to go back to work, but at least let’s test” those entering the workplace, he said.
Collins maintains there’s not enough information about how many people have contracted the novel coronavirus. “We need to test at least half of the people and see how widespread it is,” he said.
Meanwhile, the courthouse will continue to operate with the restrictions already in place. In order to enter, a person must have an appointment in one of its offices, such as the tax collector’s or a court clerk’s. To make an appointment, call 453-1041 or send an email.
When entering, use the north door, where security personnel are admitting people and checking their temperatures before they come in.
The governor’s latest executive order relaxes some of his previous restrictions, including allowing nonessential businesses, such as clothing stores and florists, to provide curbside or delivery service to sell their products.
“We’re thrilled,” said Mike Goldberg, who owns Conerly’s Shoes & Clothing with his wife, Gail. “It’s been closed a long time.”
The Goldbergs decided to close their store two days before Reeves announced his initial statewide shelter-in-place order.
Now, they’re looking forward to a “soft opening” as they prepare to bring back some of the six employees they had furloughed.
As Conerly’s gears up to provide curbside service, Gail said they’ll stagger their staff back to work. Given the uncertainty of the situation, decisions will be made on the go, she said.
“Throughout this entire COVID-19 situation, our first concern has been for the safety and well-being of our staff, our customers and our community. We have appreciated the support of our community and look forward to curbside and whatever is next,” Gail said.
Both Goldbergs complimented Reeves and McAdams for their leadership during the pandemic.
“We’re ready, and we’ll follow the guidelines like we have been,” Gail said.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the highly contagious virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal.
According to the latest numbers from the state Department of Health, Leflore County has had 70 cases of COVID-19 and six deaths. Carroll County has had 10 cases and one death.
For the first time Friday, the Health Department also began releasing a county-by-county breakdown by race of COVID-19 cases. Concerns have been raised nationally that the disease disproportionately impacts African Americans.
In Leflore County, 58 of the 70 COVID-19 cases, or 83 percent, have involved African Americans. Statewide, blacks have accounted for 56% of the nearly 3,800 cases. Both breakdowns exceed the percentage of African Americans in the overall population. According to the latest estimates of the U.S. Census Bureau, Leflore County has a black population of 75% and Mississippi 38%.
•Contact Gerard Edic at 581-7239 or gedic@gwcommonwealth.com. Staff Writer Susan Montgomery contributed to this report.
