COLUMBUS, Miss. (WTVA) - Columbus has issued a curfew and placed restrictions on restaurants, churches and other locations of business.

City leaders announced these changes Saturday, March 21. These changes will remain in effect until further notice.

The general curfew is from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. except for essential travel by people over the age of 18.

The following businesses are allowed to remain open with restrictions:

• Restaurants – no inside dining. No outside dining. Pickups, drive-throughs and deliveries are still allowed.
• Churches and other assemblages and gatherings - only allowed with 10 or fewer people.
• All businesses that employ 10 or more people in one business location must follow the CDC and the State Department of Health’s guidance and implement safeguards to prevent the spread.
• Essential service businesses and agencies including hospitals, nursing homes, health clinics, drug stores, pharmacies, banks, grocery stores, convenience stores, gas stations, military installations, security and emergency response operations. These businesses must follow the CDC and MSDH’s guidance and implement safeguards to prevent the spread to the extent that is practical.

Effective at 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 21 and continuing until further notice, the following businesses are closed for business:

All bars, nightclubs, meetings of fraternal organizations, civic organizations, child-care facilities, bowling alleys, recreational facilities, skating rinks, tattoo parlors, gyms, barbershops, hair/beauty, nail, tanning salons, spas, conventional centers, community centers and parks.

Criminal Penalties

Violators will be criminally prosecuted with fines up to $1,000 per day and 90 days in the county jail - each day constitutes a separate offense.