Mississippi Governor Lifts Mask Mandate but Still Recommends Wearing One

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves says he is getting rid of most mask mandates that he had imposed to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus. He is also lifting most other restrictions, including limits on seating in restaurants.

State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs, right, listens as Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, left, explains his rationale for not ordering a statewide mask mandate as some health officials have recently called on him to do so, during his COVID-19 briefing before reporters, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020 in Jackson, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Reeves is issuing a new executive order that takes effect at 5 p.m. Wednesday. Until now, most of Mississippi’s 82 counties had been under a mask mandate for months.

Reeves said Tuesday that the number of people hospitalized because of the virus has decreased in recent weeks, and vaccination numbers are increasing. He says K-12 schools will still require masks where social distancing is not possible.

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