Today’s update includes a recap of the COVID-19 testing center that was announced today, the go-cup ordinance that was passed for the entire city by the Hattiesburg City Council this afternoon, information about masks and hand sanitizer for businesses/organizations and a reminder about assistance applications.

COVID-19 Testing
To accelerate testing capacity and access for residents in Hattiesburg, the City of Hattiesburg is partnering with the Forrest County Emergency Management District, the Forrest County Board of Supervisors, Hattiesburg Clinic, Forrest General Hospital and the Mississippi State Department of Health to provide a free COVID-19 community testing center at C.E. Roy Community Center (500 E Fifth Street).

The testing center will open on Monday, May 18 and be open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Symptoms are not required for testing.

Testing is free, covered by a grant from the Department of Health. In addition to providing use of this facility, the City of Hattiesburg will also aim to use part of its COVID-19 Community Development Block Grant to support operations of the facility and funding for ongoing case management for the individuals who test positive.

For more information, see the full release: https://www.hattiesburgms.com/…/hattiesburg-announces-free-…/

Go-Cup Ordinance
To help restaurants and businesses operate creatively as Hattiesburg reopens the economy, the Hattiesburg City Council passed a temporary go-cup ordinance which includes the entire city limits of Hattiesburg until the governor removes the State of Emergency or for the next 90 days – whichever is longer.

Before you grab drinks to go, know the following:
→ Patrons are required to go inside a restaurant or bar to purchase a beverage. Leaving the site with a drink in hand is allowed, as long as it is done within the boundaries of the district (within the city limits).
→ Go-cups are issued at the discretion of individual establishments. The owner, manager o bartender has the right to refuse a go-cup to any individual they believe may be in danger of being over-served.
→ Only one (non-glass) container will be issued per guest over the age of 21.
→ Patrons must finish a beverage in a go-cup before entering another establishment.
→ This ordinance does not allow for any driving with an open container.
→ It is illegal to have an open container inside a vehicle.

An unsigned copy of the ordinance can be located here (a signed copy will replace this one once it’s finalized): https://www.hattiesburgms.com/…/unsigned_citywide_gocup_dist…

Masks & Hand Sanitizer
Thanks to an incredibly generous donation of both liquid hand sanitizer and masks, both are available to businesses/churches/organizations that may be in need of one or both.

Please send all requests via email to mayor@hattiesburgms.com.

If you, as an individual, still need a mask, send this page a message and we’ll get you more information about how to get one.

COVID-19 Relief Program
The United Way of Southeast Mississippi is accepting applications for its COVID-19 Relief Program – an initiative designed to help households in Forrest, Lamar, Marion and Perry Counties that have lost income due to COVID-19.

This program is made possible through the generosity of corporate and individual donations. Funding assistance can be used for paying rent and utility bills (power, water and natural gas).
For additional details, eligibility criteria and the application, visit unitedwaysems.org/coronavirus.

Mayor Toby Barker’s Daily Briefing
Today’s briefing includes much of the information above and a look at today’s numbers.

To see the full briefing: