City-wide mask mandate in Meridian extended until Feb. 28

In Meridian, the city-wide mask mandate has been extended once again, in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The city-wide mask mandate was extended until February 28, requiring individuals in the city, who are able to medically tolerate wearing a mask, to do so when in public.

In a statement regarding the mask mandate extension, Meridian mayor, Percy Bland, said “as a city we want to do our part by adhering to the face mask guidelines to ensure the health and safety of our residents”.

With the first phase of COVID-19 vaccines now being distributed amongst healthcare workers and long term care facilities in the city, along with the extension of the mask mandate, Meridian’s Public Safety Director, Doug Stephens, shared that he believes this will make a great impact on reducing COVID-19 cases locally, but the threat of the still remains.

“I would hope that at this point, people are finally understanding that COVID is not going away, –we are having some very high numbers. We are having people that are still being hospitalized, this is not going to be a quick fix. Even with the vaccination in place, even extending the mask mandate. We’re still going to have two or three months of some very trying time,” said Doug Stephens.

Stephens urges the community to continue to follow the CDC’s advised guidelines during this time.

“If you’re sick, if you are running a fever or any of the other signs and symptoms of COVID, stay at home. Call a healthcare professional, get lined up to be tested of treated for your symptoms if you don’t have COVID,” said Stephens.

The city of Meridian will continue to provide COVID-19 updates on its website and via social media.