The Lincoln County Board of Supervisors has extended the county’s shelter-in-place order.

On Monday, the Board voted 5-0 to set the end of the county’s shelter-in-place order for April 28. The order would have run out at the end of the day Monday.

“I would ask that we keep everything in place as the governor has it,” Emergency Management Director Clifford Galey said.

On April 17, Gov. Tate Reeves stated during a Facebook live stream that he would extend the statewide order to April 27.

“We need one more week to break the back of our enemy,” Reeves said.

Galey encouraged the board to follow the governor’s lead concerning the COVID-19 outbreak, further stating that Lincoln County needed it.

“Ours (numbers) are not going down, they’re going up everyday,” Galey said. “We need to stay diligent. Until numbers start going down three or four days in a row, we haven’t reached our peak yet.”

As of Monday, businesses that were previously considered nonessential can allow retail sales through curbside pickup, drive through and delivery as long as social distancing, gathering and personal hygiene restrictions are followed.

Businesses that provide services are allowed to sell any excess product, but they are not permitted to provide services at this time.

State parks are now open, but there are guidelines to adhere to. Recreational boating and fishing from boats is allowed as long as the watercraft does not exceed half of its occupancy. Fishing from banks is allowed as long as social distancing is observed.

Parks, beaches and sandbars associated with state park lakes will remain closed. Walking trails at parks are excluded from this rule. Boat ramps at state parks will be open.

The board will meet again April 28 to determine whether the new deadline should be extended.

“Time is the only thing that will tell,” District 2 Supervisor Jerry McGehee said.

Story by Gracie Byrne