COVID-19 Tips, Resources and Relief Efforts
Thursday, July 16, 2020
COVID-19 Cases in Mississippi
As of Thursday, July 16, the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) reported 1,230 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases in our state to 39,797. This is the third time our state has seen more than 1,000 cases reported in a single day. MSDH also reported 855 confirmed COVID-19 hospitalizations, which is a record-high for the state.
Right now, personal responsibility is key. Following state and federal health guidelines protects yourself and others from experiencing the impact of this unforgiving virus. Please continue to educate yourself about COVID-19 prevention, and do everything you can to help protect your neighbors. Mississippi is resilient, and we will continue to fight this invisible enemy together.
Click here for COVID-19 guidance and prevention tips.
Click here to view a map of COVID-19 cases.
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Additional COVID-19 Guidelines for 13 Counties
Governor Reeves announced additional social distancing guidelines for thirteen counties identified as COVID-19 hotspots. The following counties were identified as localized regions at a higher risk for transmission: Claiborne, Desoto, Grenada, Harrison, Hinds, Jackson, Jefferson, Madison, Quitman, Rankin, Sunflower, Washington, and Wayne Counties.
Executive Order 1507 lays out targeted guidelines for social distancing and sanitation protocols to slow the spread of COVID-19 within those thirteen counties, including requiring people to wear masks when at public gatherings or in a shopping environment and limiting social gatherings to no more than 10 indoors and 20 outdoors.
The additional guidelines will remain in effect until Monday, July 20, at 8:00 AM.
Click here to read Executive Order 1507. |
COVID-19 Emergency Relief Program
The Governor’s Office and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency plan to launch a MEMA COVID-19 Emergency Relief Program. In House Bill 1799 and Senate Bill 3047, MEMA was allocated $70,000,000 of CARES Act money to assist counties and municipalities with their COVID-19 expenses.
Through FEMA’s COVID-19 Economic Disaster Declaration, counties, municipalities, and specific nonprofits are eligible for public assistance. While FEMA reimburses 75% of those approved expenses, some entities struggle to meet the 25% match. Through the MEMA COVID-19 Emergency Relief Program, the burden is now lifted from the counties and municipalities to provide that match. Not all COVID-19 expenses are eligible for federal reimbursement through FEMA; therefore SB 3047 details what other expenses can be covered by the CARES Act funds.
Click here to view which expenses are reimbursable through
FEMA and CARES Act funding.
The CARES Act funding application process will be open from August 3- October 15. Information on how to apply for CARES Act funding will be available by July 31 on MEMA’s website at msema.org. According to SB 3047, reimbursements must begin August 15. Monies must be obligated by November 30 or will be returned to the Governor. Counties and municipalities can apply for public assistance through FEMA’s Grants Portal.
Click here to view FEMA’s Grants Portal.
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 Mask Required at Drivers License Offices
The Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS) is now requiring customers to wear masks while visiting all Driver License Offices, effective Monday, July 13. To keep the offices safe and running efficiently, DPS is urging customers to follow proper social distancing protocols while waiting to be served.
Each station location will continue following the daily schedule according to the first letter of customers’ last names. The schedule is listed below.
• Monday: A-E
• Tuesday: F-L
• Wednesday: Firearm Permits, Security Guard Permits, Renewals, & Duplicates
• Thursday: M-S
• Friday: T-Z
In order to limit exposure, customers are encouraged to take advantage of DPS’ online services.
Click here to view DPS’ online services.
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Paycheck Protection Program Extended
The US Senate recently extended the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) deadline an additional five weeks. The new law gives small businesses until August 8 to apply for the approximately $129 billion in PPP funding remaining.
The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. SBA will forgive loans if all employee retention criteria are met, and the funds are used for eligible expenses.
Businesses can apply through any existing SBA 7(a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution that is participating. Other regulated lenders will be available to make these loans once they are approved and enrolled in the program.
Click here to view a list of participating lenders.
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Executive Orders
| Executive Order 1507 |
Executive Order 1507 issues additional social distancing guidelines for Claiborne, Desoto, Grenada, Harrison, Hinds, Jackson, Jefferson, Madison, Quitman, Rankin, Sunflower, Washington, and Wayne Counties until 8 a.m. on Monday, July 20, 2020. |
| Executive Order 1506 |
Executive Order 1506 directs the State Fiscal Officer to take all actions necessary to permit the MS Department of Marine Resources to resume normal operations. |
| Executive Order 1505 |
Executive Order 1505 extends the social distancing guidelines and restrictions under the Safe Return order until 8 a.m. on Monday, July 20, 2020. |
| Executive Order 1504 |
Executive Order 1504 extends the time for the Governor to appoint an executive director of the public utilities staff from July 1, 2020 to July 15, 2020. |
Click here to view all Executive Orders.
Emergency Contact Information
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