As the number of positive cases of novel coronavirus COVID-19 continue to rise in Lincoln County, Brookhaven Mayor Joe Cox is urging residents to follow Gov. Tate Reeves’ executive orders that temporarily closes certain businesses and programs through the Brookhaven Recreation Department.

“Over the past few weeks, the residents and business owners have struggled against the dangerous threat posed by the COVID-19 virus. While the numbers of those infected have increased, our community is making every effort to combat this virus,” said Mayor Cox.

Cox is encouraging those in Brookhaven to take seriously the orders mandated by Gov. Reeves — Executive Orders No. 1463 and No. 1466.

“These orders by our governor must be followed if we want to put an end to this coronavirus and bring the city back to normal operations,” Cox said.

Among the specific closures in Gov. Reeves’ orders are restaurant and bar dining areas. However, restaurants may remain open to serve customers through drive-up windows or outside pick-up. Delivery is also an option that restaurants can provide.

Fitness centers and gyms, dance studios, clubs, tattoo parlors, spas, hair salons, barber shops, fingernail salons and other similar businesses are classified by Gov. Tate’s orders as “non-essential” and must remain closed until the governor lifts the order, Cox said.

All city parks and walking trails will be closed until the executive orders are lifted, but individuals are encouraged to continue to exercise by walking or riding bikes in their neighborhoods while practicing social distancing.

All activities, programs and team sports of the Brookhaven Recreation Department are also suspended until the governor’s orders are lifted.

Public and private gatherings of more than 10 people in a single space at the same time — where individuals are in close proximity (less than 6 feet) to each other — shall be canceled or rescheduled, he said.

Those essential businesses as defined in the governors’ executive orders may remain open for business and are not restricted to the 10-person limit, Cox said.

“However, these businesses shall enforce ‘social distancing’ within their facilities by encouraging customers and employees to remain a safe distance from other customers and employees on the premises,” he said. “Essential businesses shall also monitor their employees’ health and send sick employees home while actively encouraging sick employees to stay home.”

The mayor is thankful to those individuals who continue to practice ‘social distancing’ in their daily activities and wear masks when they are out in the public.

“If we all work together and do what the governor is requiring for our safety, we can overcome this coronavirus and lessen its effect on our city,” he said.