Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich, who a week ago announced that city employees dealing with the public should wear facemasks, has made it official: Anyone entering a municipal facility in Biloxi must wear a face covering — visitors and employees.
In an executive order issued today, his ninth since the COVID-19 crisis began in mid-March, Gilich said the mask requirement in all city buildings takes effect Friday at 8 a.m.
Meanwhile, Biloxi Fire Chief Joe Boney has directed that all city fire stations are closed to non-emergency visitors.
The actions take place as the average daily number of positive coronavirus tests has reached more than 30 cases a day in Harrison County, up from 17.36 a day just two weeks ago. Gov. Tate Reeves was also expected to announce restrictions as well, as Mississippi has now seen 33,591 cases, including 2,691 in the past week. In fact, Mississippi Today reports that the state reached its highest seven-day average for new daily cases on July 4, with at 734 cases, a 135 percent increase from exactly a month ago.
Statewide, a total of 1,204 deaths have been attributed to the coronavirus, including 14 in Harrison County.
“Wearing masks is not the total answer,” Gilich said a week ago, “but wearing a mask, social distancing and staying away from crowds are all things to remember. If you feel sick stay home, see a doctor.”
See the mayor’s executive order
