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 have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19, quarantine is also important to protect others.
MSDH Guidelines for K-12 Reopening During COVID-19: Assessing risk, preventive measures, responding to outbreaks. Document and resources »
NEW: Guide to COVID-19 Prevention and Response in Long-Term Care Facilities.
View this guidance »
Face coverings are required by order of the Governor for all Mississippians in schools, businesses and indoor public spaces, and in outdoor public spaces where consistent social distancing is not possible. Details and exceptions »
Preventing COVID-19: Recommendations and Requirements
Individuals
Businesses and Re-Opening
- Restaurants and bars
- Retail businesses
- Long-term care facilities
- Schools
- State agencies
- Youth sports
Gatherings and Events
- Social gatherings and events
- Child care facilities and summer camps
- Churches
- Other community guidance
Special restrictions for certain counties
- Gathering limits, face covering requirements, and more as of August 3, 2020
Governor's Executive Orders
- Quick guide to COVID-19 executive orders and whom they affect
- All executive orders related to COVID-19
Prevention for Individuals
Hand sanitizer warning: Hand sanitizers containing methanol are toxic. What to look for »
The precautions and requirements below have been determined by the State Health Officer and the Governor's COVID-19 executive orders.
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.
Face coverings are now required in certain counties. More information »
- 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 Providers
Local healthcare providers are now providing sampling and test services at locations across the state for those with COVID-19 symptoms.
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
- If a household member has been away from home in a public place, keep a safe distance (6 feet or more) from them for 14 days.
- 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 strong social distancing. Pay closer attention to hygiene and cleanliness.
- Wash your hands often, especially after being in public places.
Prevention in the Community
New mask and social distancing requirements for selected counties
Based on the Governor's executive orders 1515, 1512, 1509 and 1507, the following counties must practice the enhanced safety protocols below.
- Bolivar, Calhoun, Carroll, Claiborne, Coahoma, Covington, De Soto, Forrest, Grenada, Harrison, Hinds, Holmes, Humphreys, Jackson, Jefferson, Jones, Lamar, Lee, Leflore, Lowndes, Madison, Montgomery, Noxubee, Panola, Pontotoc, Quitman, Rankin, Sharkey, Simpson, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tate, Walthall, Washington, Wayne, Winston and Yalobusha.
In all types of businesses:
- All employees are required to keep at least 6 feet from other employees, or wear a face mask.
- All employees must be screened at the beginning of their shift.
- Employees in contact with the public must wear a face covering.
- Members of the public must wear a face covering at all times in a business, except for some circumstances such as eating, or special medical conditions.
Gatherings and events:
- Social gatherings are limited to 10 individuals indoors and 20 outdoors, and a distance of at least six feet between individuals must be maintained.
- A distance of six feet or more must be maintained between others at all public events, indoors and out, or else face coverings must be worn.
- Full details: Governor's orders 1515, 1512, 1509 and 1507
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:
- Indoor gatherings and activities are limited to 10 people, and at least six feet between individuals not of the same household must be maintained. Exceptions are made for students in classrooms and religious entities.
- Outdoor gatherings and activities are limited to 20 people, and at least six feet between individuals not of the same household must be maintained. Exceptions are made for religious entities.
- Arena attendance is limited to 25% or less of full capacity.
- In addition to social distancing, wearing a mask or face covering in public places is strongly recommended by the State Health Officer.
- 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 orders 1511, 1500, 1492 and 1496.
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, restaurants and bars must limit the number of customers to no greater than 50% capacity.
- Employees must wear masks or face coverings when in contact with the public.
- Businesses should take every measure to ensure social distancing and proper hand hygiene for customers.
- Governor's orders 1492 and others 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 50% 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' orders on re-opening restaurants and bars: 1511, 1509, 1496, 1492 and 1478
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 Long-Term Care Facilities
Guidance and resources from MSDH - See the Governor's executive order 1463 for details
Schools
The Mississippi State Department of Health has created guidelines to assist school administrators in re-opening decisions during COVID-19.
- MSDH K-12 Re-Opening Guidelines PDF
- Guidance for School Re-entry from the American Academy of Pediatrics
- CDC Guidance for Schools and Childcare Administrators
Youth Sports
- All participants must be screened for symptoms of COVID-19
- 100 person maximum per field, including fans
- Limit of 2 fans per player
- Fans outside of family group must maintain 6 feet of separation
- Bleachers shall be closed to fans
- Full information: Governor's orders 1500, 1492, 1491
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 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.
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
The CDC recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel (including cruise travel) to all global destinations due to the global pandemic and widespread transmission of COVID-19. All travelers returning from international travel are advised to stay home and self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days after returning 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