Today’s briefing with Mayor Barker goes over testing data from the free testing site at C.E. Roy Community and provides more information about masks and hand sanitizer for organizations, businesses and churches who may need it. Four factors that go into reopening Hattiesburg include: Widespread availability of testing Wearing of masks Watching local data Listening to all voices As a...
CITY OF HATTIESBURG NEWS
May 27 – Daily Update
Today’s update features the briefing with Mayor Barker goes over the announcement from Gov. Reeves for his “Safe Return” Order – Executive Order 1492, which will take effect on June 1 at 8 a.m. It includes: All businesses will be allowed to open to some degree, with strict guidelines. Most current restrictions on restaurants and retail will remain. Live music...
May 26 – Daily Update
Today’s update rounds out all of the current executive orders into one place and goes over what began today with both Governor Reeves’ Orders 1487 & 1488 and Mayor Barker’s Executive Order 2020-9. Governor Reeves’ Executive Orders 1487 & 1488 Opens outdoor recreation and amusement (playgrounds, water parks, etc.) at 50% capacity. Opens school sports practices, weight rooms and training...
May 22 – Daily Update
Today’s update includes several notes for you going into the weekend regarding mask distribution, the Hattiesburg Way Forward – a resource guide to reopening businesses safely, Gov. Reeves’ latest orders, new openings on Tuesday and a note about Memorial Day. Mask Distribution On Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24, masks can be picked up at the Forrest County EOC...
May 21 – Daily Update
Today’s update includes information about the mall reopening and mask distribution by the Forrest County Emergency Management. Turtle Creek Mall On Tuesday, May 26, Turtle Creek Mall will reopen. This entails: No food court seating. Masks required. Customer occupancy limits will be per square footage guidelines, same as other nonessential retail (outlined in Executive Order 2020-5. Entertainment venues continue to be...
Hattiesburg Breaks Ground on Ninth Fire Station

Hattiesburg, Mississippi – On Wednesday morning, the City of Hattiesburg broke ground on its ninth fire station – which will provide the residents and business owners of north Hattiesburg with better response times and better insurance rates. “Today, we officially break ground on this facility – keeping our commitment to do it and to help the existing residents and businesses...
May 15 – Daily Update
Beginning Monday, May 18, the following will open: → Nail Salons Following all appointment measures, sanitization protocols and social distancing measures for hair salons and barbershops from Exec. Order 2020-6. → Tattoo Shops Following guidelines identified in Gov. Reeves’ Exec. Order 1486. → Indoor Dining at Restaurants Following the 50% total capacity limitations, all sanitization and social distancing measures for...
Hattiesburg Announces Free Community Testing Center for COVID-19

Hattiesburg, Mississippi – 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 and the Mississippi Department of Health to provide a free COVID-19 community testing center at C.E. Roy Community Center (500 E Fifth Street). The...
May 14 – Daily Update
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...
May 11 – Daily Update
During Mayor Barker’s briefing today, he announced that restaurants can begin operating outdoor dining (only) on Thursday, May 14 at 8 a.m. This executive order will be signed and sent out by Wednesday. Today’s notice was to allow restaurants the time needed to prepare for opening. The order will include the following stipulations: Must limit customers to 50% of outdoor...
Barbershops, Salons & Gyms to Open on May 11 in Hattiesburg with More Stringent Guidelines
Hattiesburg, Mississippi – Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker announced Saturday that barbershops, salons and gym facilities in the city limits will open following Governor Reeves Executive Order 1480, but with more stringent guidelines. “Two weeks ago, we announced that reopening the city would include a measured approach – one built on local data and one built with the input of business...
May 6 – Daily Update
Please see the following notes regarding Governor Reeves’ Executive Order 1478 in Hattiesburg. Parks: The sections of Governor Reeves’ Executive Order 1478 regarding state parks, municipal parks and outdoor recreational activities will stand without additional restrictions beginning May 7, at 8 a.m. Restaurants While Gov. Reeves’ order provides a baseline for restaurants to open indoor/outdoor dining at 50% capacity beginning...