NATCHEZ, Miss. – The Board of Aldermen Thursday extended Natchez’ restrictions on public gatherings through May but to allow some nonessential businesses to reopen as the global coronavirus continues to sicken more people and cripple the economy.
The city order – which includes a requirement for people in stores to wear facial coverings — is similar to Mississippi’s “Safer-at-Home” directive enacted statewide Monday. It continues measures implemented in March encouraging the isolation of people to curb the spread of the virus while also letting certain businesses now open their doors for customers. However, there are constraints.
Among those mandates: Businesses must require employees and customers to wear masks covering their mouth and nose; limit the number of store patrons to half of their building’s capacity; ensure they’re at least six feet apart; require employees to frequently sanitize hands and surfaces and offer hand sanitizers to customers.
“Our retailers need to open and get back into business … but in as safe a manner as possible,” said William Thames, a member of the task force advising Mayor Darryl Grennell and the six aldermen on how to combat COVID-19.
Natchez-Adams County has had at least eight people die from the coronavirus and 133 confirmed to have been sickened by it since March 11, according to the state Department of Health’s most recent count. Compare this to nearby counties with total populations close to Adams County’s 30,700: Lincoln County has had at least 141 coronavirus cases and 10 coronavirus deaths. Pike County has had 148 cases and seven deaths. The coronavirus statistics are updated daily by the Department of Health and can be read on its website.
Thames, a retired pharmacist, said he doesn’t foresee a “downward slide” of cases in Adams County soon. A report he presented to the mayor and aldermen Thursday notes that the coronavirus will continue to flare at least through May. Natchez is “not in a safety zone even as we allow the cautious and measured reopening of some local businesses,” states the report.
Flagrant or widespread violations of the requirement to wear facial coverings could result in nonessential businesses being ordered to close, said city attorney Bob Latham.
Grennell said Natchez-Adams County officials should try to obtain a large supply of masks to hand out to the general public like what’s been done in neighboring Vidalia and Concordia Parish, La.
Natchez’ “Safer at Home/Back to Business” directive adopted Thursday is an extension and revision of the city order the Board of Aldermen put in place March 24.
Natchez restaurants and bars must continue to close their doors to the public but be allowed to serve drive-through and delivery customers. Hair salons must remain closed. Churches and funerals should also not have more than 10 people gathered at one time.
The Board of Aldermen also took steps today to prepare for the decline in city tax collections and its potential impact on municipal services as the economy spirals downward because of the pandemic.
“We need to get in there to make sure the city is not broke,” the mayor said. “The city could be in a financial hole right now and you don’t even know it.”
Grennell pointed to how the pandemic has shuttered Natchez’ tourism sector and Magnolia Bluffs Casino – two essential sources of city revenues. He and aldermen will examine the flow of revenues and ways to cut the city budget in the coming weeks.
A new administration will take office in late July after the upcoming municipal elections, but Grennell said he and aldermen must know more before then the extent of the revenue shortfall and what spending cuts are needed promptly. They are pinning hopes the U.S. Congress will provide money to help cities suffering economic distress because of the coronavirus.
Natchez board meetings in the past month have been teleconferences conducted via GoToMeeting.com to avoid face-to-face contact.
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