Mayor Flaggs Issues Shelter In Place Proclamation

PROCLAMATION THAT A CIVIL EMERGENCY EXISTS IN THE CITY OF

VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI DUE TO THE SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID -19) AND IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY

AND WELFARE, MEASURES SUCH AS SHELTER IN PLACE, A CURFEW,
CLOSURE OF NON-ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES, SOCIAL DISTANCING AND
LIMITATIONS ON GATHERINGS ARE HEREBY ORDERED BEGINNING

AT 5:00 P.M. ON FRIDAY APRIL 3, 2020
UNTIL 5:00 A.M. ON APRIL 20, 2020

WHEREAS, pursuant to §§45-17-1 through 45-17-13, and §33-15-17 of the
Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended, the Mayor is authorized to proclaim that a Civil Emergency exists defined as any natural disaster or man-made calamity resulting in the death or injury of persons to such an extent that extraordinary measures must be taken to protect the public health, safety and welfare; and

WHEREAS, §21-19-3 gives municipalities the authority to make regulations to prevent the spreading of contagious or infectious diseases and to make quarantine laws for that purpose; and

WHEREAS, §33-15-17 authorizes the Mayor to control or restrict egress, ingress and movement within the local emergency area necessary to facilitate the protection of life and property; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to these laws, the Mayor is authorized to issue such orders as he deems necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Vicksburg, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) that has spread across this nation is a worldwide pandemic and as of April 2, 2020, the Mississippi Department of Health has reported 1,177 positive confirmed cases and 26 deaths in Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, extraordinary measures related to the spread of the Coronavirus are necessary for the health, safety, welfare and good order to protect the public and a Proclamation was issued effective March 23, 2020 at Noon to employ certain measures which were intended to minimize the spread of the COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, on March 29, 2020, an amendment to previous proclamations,
policies and procedures for employees were adopted; and

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WHEREAS, in an effort to eliminate further spread of COVID-19, it is necessary to further decrease interaction in public spaces and non-essential businesses.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE FLAGGS, JR., MAYOR OF THE CITY OF
VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN
ME PURSUANT TO §§45-17-1 THROUGH 45-17-13; §21-19-3 and § 33-15-17
OF THE MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, AS AMENDED, HEREBY ISSUE THIS
PROCLAMATION THAT A CIVIL EMERGENCY EXISTS IN THE CITY OF
VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI DUE TO THE SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS
(COVID-19) AND IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND WELFARE,
DO HEREBY ORDER THE FOLLOWING MEASURES UNITL 5:00 A.M. ON
APRIL 20, 2020 UNLESS MODIFIED, EXTENDED OR REPEALED BY
SUBSEQUESNT PROCLAMATION:
FOR THE PUBLIC:

1. Shelter in Place – All individuals currently living in the City of Vicksburg are ordered to stay at home or in their place of residence except as allowed by this Proclamation. Individuals using outdoor space when outside of their homes or residences shall maintain social distancing. There shall not be gatherings of more than 10 persons at a residence unless the persons live there. This includes a prohibition against house parties, barbeques and other social gatherings of
   more than 10 persons at a residence. Individuals may leave their residences for the following activities:

a. To engage in activities or perform tasks necessary to their health
and safety, or the health and safety of their family or household
members (including pets) or the health and safety of those persons
who are unable or should not leave their home.
b. To obtain necessary food, services or supplies for themselves and
members of their household needed to maintain the safety,
sanitation and essential operation of the residence, or to deliver
those goods or services to those persons who are unable or should
not leave their home.
c. To engage in individual outdoor activity and recreation (not group
recreation or activities such as soccer or basketball games).
d. To perform work providing essential products and services at
businesses allowed to remain open or to carry out activities
permitted in this Proclamation.

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1. CURFEW- A general curfew will be in place from 11:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. Persons should not be on the public street or in any public place unless it is for traveling to or from work, or for medical personnel in the performance of their duties, or to a business that is open such as a gas station or grocery store. First Responders and law enforcement are exempt from this curfew.
2. JUVENILE CURFEW- Additionally, in order to preserve the resources of the Vicksburg Police Department, to keep good order and to decrease gatherings, a curfew will be in place for juveniles 17 and under from 7:30 p.m. until 7:30a.m. Juveniles should not be on the public streets during this time unless the juvenile is traveling to or from work or with a parent or responsible guardian.
3. Social Distancing – Social distancing should be enforced throughout the city –persons should stay at least 6 feet away from others to the extent possible.
4. Anyone 65 years or older, or anyone with underlying medical conditions, should not be in or near gatherings of over 10 people.
5. Persons shall not visit hospitals, nursing homes and retirement homes or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance, to visit residents receiving imminent end-of-life care, or as otherwise directed by the healthcare facility, provided in the professional opinion of the supervising physician or other supervising healthcare professional at such facility that such visits can be accomplished without unreasonable risk to staff or other residents of such facilities. In lieu of in-person visits, electronic visits are encouraged.
6. Gatherings – Unless otherwise allowed herein, there shall not be gatherings of more than 10 persons at any gathering for business, religious or social activity.
7. Funeral Services – During this emergency, funeral services are recommended to be held outside at grave side with a limit of 25 persons, and social distancing should be practiced. Alternatively, funerals are recommended to be on the property of a funeral home. Funeral services held inside shall be limited to 10 persons, and social distancing should be practiced. Regardless of the location, all funeral services shall be at 11:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m. through April 20, 2020.
   There shall not be any repast or other meal following the funeral with more than 10 persons.

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1. Restaurants and private clubs – Restaurants and private clubs shall be limited to pick-up, curbside service, delivery, or drive-through services for food, but shall close any dine-in or outside seating area available to the public. There shall not be more than 10 employees and 10 customers inside (waiting to pick-up) the abovementioned businesses at any one time. These establishments must close by 11:00 p.m. and remain closed until 5:00 a.m.
2. Bars and Nightclubs – Bars and nightclubs that sell food shall be limited to pick-up, curbside service, delivery, or drive-through services for food, but shall close any dine-in or outside seating area available to the public. The sale of alcoholic beverages shall follow the “doggie bag” rule or other regulations as set forth by the Commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Revenue. There shall not be more than 10 employees and 10 customers inside (waiting to pick-up) the abovementioned businesses at any one time. These establishments must close by 11:00 p.m. and remain closed until 5:00 a.m.
3. Liquor stores – Liquor Stores shall have no more than 10 persons, including employees, inside at any one time.
4. Retail and convenience stores – Retail and convenience stores shall allow no more than 10 persons inside the store and no more than 10 persons in the parking lot/gas service areas of the premises at any one time. This excludes grocery stores and other essential retail stores that provide food and beverage, medicine, building materials, or plumbing supplies. These businesses should require social distancing and have hand sanitizer available.
5. For any City of Vicksburg public meetings, Zoning Board of Appeals, Board of Architectural Review, code enforcement hearings, or public gatherings in a city building, there will be no more than 10 people in the room and social distancing shall be practiced. For meetings of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, the Mayor will determine which 10 people will be permitted to be present, giving priority to Division Heads and the Deputy City Clerk. A Vicksburg Police Officer will escort people in and out as needed. Alternate viewing options include online streaming, VTV channels, and the City of Vicksburg training room (no more than 10 people). This policy will be re-evaluated on or before
   April 20, 2020.
6. Permitted Travel – Individuals engaged in travel must adhere to the CDC and the Mississippi Department of Health recommendations and guidance to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including social distancing and aggressive

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hygiene including frequent handwashing, and use of sanitizer. Permitted travel includes the following:

A. Travel to and from work
B. Travel to and from grocery stores, pharmacies, medical and
dental clinics, other retail allowed to remain open,
C. Travel to care for elderly, minors, dependents, persons with
disabilities, or other vulnerable persons including to obtain
COVID-19 testing for such individuals
D. Travel to or from educational institutions including public
and private K-12 schools, colleges, and universities, and
other educational institutions for purposes of receiving
materials for distance learning, for receiving meals, and
other education related purposes
E. Travel to or from their place of residence
F. Travel required by law enforcement
G. Travel for health and safety reasons not specifically
mentioned herein

1. The following categories of businesses are deemed to be non-essential and
   must temporarily close until April 20, 2020, in order to limit the spread of COVID-19:
   All places of amusement and recreation, whether indoor or outdoor
   Theaters
   Gyms
   Barbers and beauty salons
   Massage, nail and day spas or salons
   Sporting and concert venues
   Bars (except for the sale of food)
   Nightclubs (except for the sale of food)
   tattoo parlors
   tanning salons
   convention centers
   community centers
   parks
   dance studios
   children’s party & play facilities
   social clubs
   museums

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1. All other businesses not specifically mentioned herein should require social distancing from its employees and patrons and follow the environmental cleaning and hygiene guidelines from the CDC.
2. Except for the Vicksburg Police Department which will remain open to the public, entrances to City buildings where the public normally conducts business shall be closed, with the understanding that the public can still contact and perform business with City officials and essential employees via telephone, e-mail, drive-through (where available), and written communication during this period of time. In the event someone needs to conduct face-to-face business with a city department, it is recommended that they call the number listed
   herein and posted on the door of that city building in order to be admitted:
   City Hall – 601-634-4553
   Community Development – 601-634-4528
   Animal control – 601-636-6982
   Cemetery – 601-634-4513
   Auditorium – closed
   Convention center – closed
   Robert M. Walker Building – 601-631-3710
   Purchasing Department – 601-634-4550
   Recreation – closed
   Airport – 601-636-4925
   Senior Center – closed
   Water & Gas – drive-through only
3. Violations of this EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION will be subject to
   misdemeanor prosecution pursuant to Sec. 45-17-9 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended, Sec. 33-15-7 and Sec. 1-9 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Vicksburg, including a fine of up to $1,000.00 and 90 days in jail.

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FOR EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF VICKSBURG:

1. Division Heads have designated the essential and non-essential employees for their respective departments. The following applies until regularly scheduled work hours on April 20, 2020:
   All employees who have been designated essential are expected to report to work unless any COVID-19 symptoms or confirmed cases affect them or their household or they have a school-aged child that is out of school. Hourly employees who are designated as essential employees and come to work will be paid time and a half for actual hours worked. All employees who are not at work must be on-call for work between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., except for police and fire employees who work scheduled shift hours.
2. All police personnel should take proper precautions, such as wearing gloves, when making physical contact with the public.
3. Every city-owned restroom will be checked for sufficient amounts of soap and/or hand sanitizer, and paper towels each hour of the workday until April 20, 2020. This policy will be re-evaluated on or before April 20, 2020.
4. The City of Vicksburg Senior Center will remain closed through April 30,
5. The closure will be re-evaluated on or before April 30, 2020.
6. The City of Vicksburg is suspending water and gas customer disconnects as required by the Mississippi Public Service Commission. The City will follow the guidelines of the MPSC which currently prohibit disconnects until May 14, 2020.
7. All City-funded employee travel for any distance is suspended, unless
   deemed necessary by the Mayor, until April 20, 2020. The city-funded travel suspension policy will be re-evaluated on or before April 20, 2020.

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1. Any city employee, or family member within their household, who comes in contact with a person confirmed to have the virus is to immediately report it to the City of Vicksburg Safety Director Steve Williams (601.738.0029) or the Human Resources Department (601.631.3710). This policy will be re-evaluated on or before April 20, 2020. Additionally, any city employee who travels outside of Warren County, Mississippi must contact Steve Williams or HR prior to returning to work.
2. The City of Vicksburg is relaxing its dress code policy to provide for the comfort of its employees until April 20, 2020. This policy will be re-
   evaluated on or before April 20, 2020.
   THIS PROCLAMATION SHALL BE IN EFFECT BEGINNING FRIDAY
   APRIL 3, 2020 AT 5:00 P.M. AND SHALL CONTINUE THROUGH
   APRIL 20, 2020 UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED HEREIN OR
   EXTENDED, MODIFIED OR REPEALED BY A SUBSEQUENT
   PROCLAMATION.
   THIS EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION SHALL BE PLACED IN THE
   CITY OF VICKSBURG MINUTES AND REVIEWED EVERY THIRTY
   (30) DAYS AS REQUIRED BY LAW. THIS PROCLAMATION
   REPLACES AND SUPERSEDES THE PROCLAMATION DATED
   MARCH 29, 2020.