Kenneth NiemeyerThe Oxford Board of Aldermen voted to reinstate an outdoor mask mandate at a meeting on Monday after photos of large mask-less crowds on the Square began circulating on social media last week. The mandate requires people to wear face coverings while in outdoor public spaces where social distancing is not possible, which includes when standing in lines to enter bars.
Masks are also required indoors at all businesses except restaurants and bars while sitting at a table.
The board approved its first mask mandate on April 23 of last year, which required masks in all indoor businesses. On Aug. 4, the board voted to expand the mandate to those waiting outside in crowds due to growing crowd sizes on the Square but reversed the decision shortly afterward.
Photos of large crowds waiting to get into bars on the Square began circulating after students returned to Oxford for the first week of the spring semester, and prior to Monday’s mandate, Mayor Robyn Tannehill said that she had heard concerns about the crowds.
“I have received several tweets and messages today regarding long lines and crowds around bars in the downtown area. We are currently under the Governor’s Executive Order below that states face coverings are required indoors. Face coverings are not required outdoors,” Tannehill’s tweet read.
Gov. Tate Reeves’s Executive Order does not require masks to be worn outdoors.
Businesses are responsible for making sure the mandate is enforced inside and outside their building under the Board of Alderman’s mandate. Funky’s owner Lee Harris said he wasn’t sure how the mandate will affect business.
“I don’t know what it’s going to do for business honestly,” Harris said. “It’s just going to be a little but harder on us to police it because, clearly, we want everybody to do right, abide by the rules and keep everybody safe and well, but it’s just awfully tough to do when they’re not in your establishment.”
Harris said he hopes people will abide by the new mandate and he hopes that people will be able to cooperate with each other regarding its enforcement.
“I’m going to do my best and hope people listen, and if they don’t, I assume the police are walking around and are going to make them listen,” Harris said. “I don’t know how it’s going to go, to be really honest with you. Every week it’s something new that we all try to do together to make this deal work so that we can all stay open, and I think every bar and restaurant in this town tries to do their best.”
As of Monday, Jan. 26, there have been a total of 5,269 positive COVID-19 cases and 101 deaths due to the virus in Lafayette County, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health. There are 394 active cases in Lafayette County, 40 of which were reported on Monday.
Still, the university has not seen a major increase in reported cases since students have returned to Oxford. There are 36 active cases, according to the university COVID-19 dashboard, and four of those were reported on Monday. In the past week, university cases have increased by 3.4%.
