Individuals, communities and organizations are essential to controlling the spread of COVID-19 in Mississippi. The precautions and guidance here can keep you and the state safer and healthier.
Mississippi Coronavirus Hotline (7 days a week, 7 a.m.–7 p.m.): 877-978-6453
Home isolation is mandatory if you have tested positive for COVID-19 by order of the State Health Officer.
(If you are awaiting results of routine testing not related to exposure, you may return to work and follow the safety guidance of your employer.)
If you have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19, quarantine is also important to protect others.
Read more »
Preventing COVID-19: Recommendations and Requirements
Personal
Businesses and Community
- Restaurants and bars
- Retail businesses
- Long-term care facilities
- Schools, colleges and universities
- Child care facilities and summer camps
- Churches
- Other community guidance
State and Civil
Gatherings and Events
Governor's Executive Orders
- Quick guide to COVID-19 executive orders and whom they affect
- All executive orders related to COVID-19
Special restrictions in high-case counties: Gatherings in Chickasaw, Claiborne, De Soto, Forest, Itawamba, Jackson, Lamar, Lee and Neshoba counties are limited to 10 indoors, and 50 outdoors in situations where social distancing is not possible. Masks must be worn indoors in public places when a distance of six feet cannot be maintained between groups from different households. See Executive Order 1527 »
Prevention for Individuals
Protect Yourself and Others
Wear a mask in public places
All Mississippi residents should wear non-medical grade masks or homemade cloth face coverings when shopping, running errands, or otherwise away from home. Face covering is especially important when a distance of at least 6 feet cannot easily be maintained between persons. This recommendation does not include manufactured (surgical) or N95 masks, which should be reserved for healthcare workers and first responders.
- Practice social distancing whenever possible. Keep at least 6 feet apart from others when you are outside your home.
- Avoid large social gatherings and community events. Follow restrictions on indoor and outdoor gathering sizes. Details »
- If you are sick, especially with shortness of breath, severe cough, fever or severe chest pain, stay home, call a doctor or healthcare provider for instructions on how to visit them safely.
- If you have been tested for COVID-19, stay home and away from others until you get your test result. Learn more »
- If you are 65 or older, or in poor health, stay home as much as possible ( see precaution below).
Practice Protective Hygiene
- Cover your coughs and sneezes. When possible, cough, sneeze or blow your nose into a tissue, then throw the tissue away.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, especially after coughing or sneezing, blowing your nose, and using the bathroom. Effective handwashing takes at least 20 seconds, and includes cleaning under fingernails, between fingers, and washing the back of hands as well as the front. More proper handwashing tips »
- Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are touched often.
- Stay in good overall health by eating right and staying active. If you are living with diabetes, heart disease or other medical condition, keep in touch with your doctor and stay current with your treatment.
Local Testing
Local healthcare providers are now providing sampling and test services at locations across the state for those with COVID-19 symptoms.
- View local testing providers
- Free testing for teachers, college students, childcare facility staff and others
Families, Women and Children
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offer specialized recommendations for:
Older Adults and People at High Risk
People at risk for serious illness from COVID-19 are adults 65 and over, those who are obese, those with a chronic illness such as heart disease, diabetes or lung disease, and anyone receiving treatments which may compromise their immune system. These people should take precautions at all times to limit their exposure to others who may be ill:
- Stay home as much as possible.
- Limit your contact with others when you are away from home, especially in indoor settings.
- Limit your contact with visitors and with other members of your household who are frequently in public places.
- Keep more space (6 feet if possible) between you and others as you go through the day.
- If you do go out in public, keep away from others who are sick, and practice consistent social distancing. Pay closer attention to hygiene and cleanliness.
- Wash your hands often, especially after being in public places.
Prevention in the Community
Schools, businesses, events and other places that people gather should take steps to prevent or limit the spread of viral illness.
Social Gatherings and Events
Everyone attending events and gatherings, including weddings and funerals, should take extra precautions at this time, including:
Gathering limits are lower in certain counties with high rates of COVID-19. Find out more »
- Wearing a mask or face covering is strongly recommended at all gatherings.
- Large gatherings, especially indoors, are discouraged. Gatherings and group activities are limited to 20 people indoors and 100 people outdoors if individuals from different households are closer than six feet apart, by order of the Governor.
- Limits on gathering sizes do not apply to students in classrooms, voting precincts and religious entities.
- Arena attendance is limited to 25% or less of full capacity.
- Outdoor sports events must ensure at least six feet of separation between individuals not of the same household. Face coverings are encouraged for those attending these events. At college and university stadiums, face coverings are required for anyone over five years old when not seated, unless at least six feet of separation can be maintained between individuals not in the same household.
- Organized school events for kindergarten through grade 12 have special face covering and social distance requirements. More details »
- Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. Look for sanitizers with at least 60 percent alcohol. Warning: Avoid hand sanitizers containing methanol »
- If ill, do not attend any public event and call your physician or healthcare provider if needed.
- See the Governor's executive order 1525.
State Agencies
-
MSDH Guidelines for State Agencies During COVID-19
Social distancing and enhanced hygiene measures
Businesses and Workplaces
Workplaces should be mindful of providing strong hygiene support and facilitating social distancing for the safety of their employees and patrons. Employees who are sick should stay at home, and employees should be checked daily for COVID-19 symptoms.
- All retail businesses, gyms, restaurants and bars must limit the number of customers to no greater than 75% capacity. At least six feet between individuals of different households must be maintained.
- Masks or face coverings are strongly encouraged for employees in contact with the public, and for all employees when a separation of at least six feet cannot be maintained between others.
- Employees of businesses such as salons and tattoo services which involve close contact with customers must wear a face covering at all times, and customers must use a face covering at all times when it does not interfere with receiving service.
- Businesses should take every measure to ensure social distancing and proper hand hygiene for customers.
- Governor's orders 1525 on re-opening and safe operation
- CDC questions and answers on COVID-19 and safety in the workplace
- CDC guidance for grocery and retail food workers
- CDC Guidance for health protection in workplaces
- OSHA information on COVID-19 in the workplace
Restaurants and bars
- Bars may sell alcohol only to seated customers. Bar hours are restricted to 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- All restaurants and bars must limit the number of customers to no greater than 75% capacity.
- All parties or groups must be separated by a minimum of 6 feet.
- All employees must be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 daily.
- All employees must wear a face covering when serving the public.
Report a restaurant that is not following COVID-19 safety orders: E-mail the details to food@msdh.ms.gov
- Governors' order 1525 on restaurants and bar requirements
Long-Term Care Facilities
Visitation to nursing homes and other long-term care facilities is now highly restricted in order to protect residents.
- Discontinue group social activities and group visits to help prevent possible disease transmission.
- Post signs that discourage all nonessential visitation and discourage ill visitors from entering the facility.
- Keep all ill visitors away from the facility for at least 48 hours after symptoms resolve.
- Only allow visitors for residents receiving end-of-life care or to provide critical assistance.
- Facilities may permit other visitation if they observe conditions that their supervising health professional considers safe. Electronic visits are to be encouraged.
- Permitted visitors should only visit their family members and should not have contact with other residents.
- Permitted visitors should cover their coughs and be educated on the importance of hand hygiene.
- Make sure the facility has plenty of hand washing products and that essential visitors have access to them.
- COVID-19 Prevention and Response in Mississippi Long-Term Care Facilities
- Nursing Home Re-Opening Guidelines and Guidelines for Limited Outdoor Visitation
- Re-opening Guidance for Licensed Personal Care Homes and Assisted Living Facilities
- Guidelines For Visitation at Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities
- Phases 1-3 Attestation Forms for Long-Term Care Facilities
Schools, Colleges and Universities
The Mississippi State Department of Health has created guidelines to assist school administrators in re-opening decisions during COVID-19 and in addressing cases, exposure and quarantine.
- MSDH COVID-19 Isolation, Quarantine and Outbreak Guidelines for Colleges and Universities PDF
- MSDH K-12 Re-Opening Guidelines PDF
- Governors' order 1525 on school and college event restrictions
- Guidance for School Re-entry from the American Academy of Pediatrics
- CDC Guidance for Schools and Childcare Administrators
School Events
Organized extracurricular school events (including sports events, music and theater performances and others) for kindergarten through grade 12 are subject to these restrictions:
- Attendance at all extracurricular events is limited to 25% of the venue's seating capacity indoors, and to 50% outdoors (excluding school personnel, medical personnel and media) as long as space is available to ensure social distancing of at least six feet between persons from different households.
- Face coverings must be worn at all times by those over five years old when not seated, and any time when closer than six feet to others not of the same household.
- Indoors or outdoors, strive to maintain a distance of six feet or more from those not in your household.
- Face coverings are still strongly recommended at outdoor events even while social distancing.
Youth Sports
- See the restrictions on K-12 school events above.
Child Care Facilities
The Mississippi State Department of Health has not recommended closing child care facilities at this time.
Child care faculties choosing to remain open should be mindful of hygiene and disinfection practices specific to schools and daycares:
- MSDH Guidelines for Childcare Facilities During COVID-19
- Sample forms for childcare providers
- MSDH Guidelines for Summer Camps and Overnight Camps During COVID-19
- CDC Guidance for Schools and Childcare Administrators
- CDC Guidance for School and Childcare Settings
Church and Worship Services
Like any gathering, church services have the potential to spread COVID-19 infection if they are not resumed with suitable precautions. Guidelines have now been issued to help churches offer in-person services while minimizing the risk of disease transmission.
Funeral Homes and Mortuaries
MSDH has specific guidance for services of this type.
Correctional and Detention Facilities
Other Community Guidance
The CDC offers prevention, response and re-opening guidance for:
- Colleges and universities
- First responders
- Households
- Homeless shelters
- People experiencing homelessness
- Event organizers
- Gatherings and community events
- Community and faith-based organizations
- Businesses and workplaces
- Parks and recreational facilities, including new information for re-opening swimming pools and aquatic facilities
- Retirement communities and independent living
- School and childcare settings
- Shared and congregate housing
- Transportation and delivery
- Tribal Communities
- Healthcare facilities
- Schools and childcare administrators
The CDC has guidance for cleaning rooms and buildings visited by those who have a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19.
- Cleaning and disinfection recommendations for schools, offices and other non-healthcare facilities CDC
Information for Travelers
Travel can increase your risk of getting and spreading COVID-19. You should postpone travel if you are sick, or have been in contact with a person infected with COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
When you return from travel, you pose a risk of infection to others for 14 days, even if you do not feel sick. During this time, practice social distancing indoors and outdoors, and wear a mask when you're away from home.
You may be contacted by the Mississippi State Department of Health if you have returned from traveling to an area with restrictions on entry to the US, traveled on a cruise, or traveled on a flight or ship with a confirmed COVID-19 case. We'll provide instructions on protective steps to take, including isolation at home.
General Information
COVID-19 is a new respiratory virus that causes flu-like illness ranging from mild to severe, with symptoms of fever, coughing, fatigue and difficulty breathing. Like the flu, COVID-19 spreads person-to-person by close contact (within 6 feet) and by coughing or sneezing. COVID-19 may also spread by touching surfaces contaminated by the virus.
Find this page at http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/index.cfm/index.cfm