Over the last 24 hours, the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) global pandemic has reached unprecedented levels of pandemonium within the United States. Schools around the country have closed indefinitely, all professional and amateur sports leagues are suspended until further notice, and President Trump has issued extreme preventative measures to keep the Coronavirus contained as best possible.
As this precarious and unnerving situation continues to unfold, it is our goal to keep the Red Cup community informed of updates and news. Here is the latest:
- Governor Tate Reeves has issued a mandatory shelter-in-place order for the state of Mississippi effective Friday, April 3 at 5 p.m. Read the full order here.
- The City of Oxford issued a second COVID-19 resolution on March 22. The Board passed a third resolution declaring additional measures following Governor Reeves’ order. The shelter-in-place order will be extended by the city through April 30.
- Businesses that may remain open are:
City/County government services (police stations, fire stations, garbage/sanitation), utilities (water and power), gas stations, pharmacies and drug stores, grocery stores, farmers markets, food banks, convenience stores, restaurants offering curb-side pick-up and delivery only, Hospitals/clinics and other healthcare operations (Nursing homes and assisted living facilities), hardware stores and businesses providing necessary services to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences (plumbers, electricians, landscapers, HVAC services), banks, community benefit organizations on a case-by-case basis (Interfaith Compassion Ministries, United Way, Salvation Army, Red Cross, Communicare, etc.), laundromats/laundry services, veterinarian offices, professional Services which service essential companies and individuals (accountants, attorneys, engineers, architects, etc.), security companies, automobile repair shops and cemeteries.
- Mississippi has reported 3,624 confirmed cases of Coronavirus as of April 15. 129 cases have resulted in death. 39 cases have been confirmed in Lafayette County.
Athletics
- Ole Miss is canceling in-person athletics programs on the Oxford, Tupelo, Southaven, Booneville and Grenada campuses through August 1. This means that on campus workouts, summer practices, and training camps will not be able to proceed until after July.
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Southeastern Conference sporting events are suspended until March 30.This includes the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament. The Southeastern Conference has suspended all organized team activities, practices, meetings and competition through April 15.- The Southeastern Conference has suspended all athletic events for the 2019/2020 calendar year.
- NCAA cancels all remaining winter and spring championships. This includes the Men’s and Women’s Basketball “March Madness” Tournaments.
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Commissioner Greg Sankey and the SEC have prohibited recruiting-related activitiesuntil at least March 30. All recruiting efforts are suspended until April 15th.- All in-person athletics activities, including team and individual practices, meetings and recruiting related activities will be suspended through at least May 31.
- As a result of SEC mandates, Ole Miss has pushed back the start of it’s spring football practices indefinitely, which was scheduled to begin March 17th. It will likely be canceled.
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Grove Bowl festivities have been postponed.No announcement has been made to reschedule the spring game, which was set for April 18th. - Grove Bowl festivities and the 2020 spring game has been canceled.
- The NCAA Division I Council Coordination Committee is meeting to discuss granting spring athletes with another year of eligibility without penalty. At this time, seniors are expected to receive an additional season, while a decision on underclassmen is to be made.
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Mississippi High School sports will be suspended through March 29. - The MHSAA has cancelled all athletic competition until the start of the next school year.
University
- All in-person on-campus summer camps, conferences, events and other experiences will be canceled through Aug. 1, 2020. Read the full update from Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Noel Wilkin here.
- All academic content will be delivered and executed online or via other remote methods for the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester. All summer courses will also be delivered online. Students will not return to campus.
- The 2020 commencement ceremonies have been postponed to a date to be announced.
- All residence halls will be locked. A plan will be developed to retrieve belongings.
- Here is the full statement from Chancellor Glenn Boyce.
- The University of Mississippi Council of Academic Administrators has passed a policy to adopt a pass/fail course system, including a Z-grade.
- Mobile orders will be accepted for pick-up at the Rebel Market.
- A University of Mississippi student has tested positive for COVID-19 after international travel. This student has not returned to campus or Oxford since her visit. Two additional students have since self-reported positive tests. Neither has returned to Oxford.
- Students may reach out to the UMatter office or Rebel Relief for inquiries regarding emergency financial aid. Financial Aid will review each case and students will be asked to provide documentation of financial need.
- South Campus walking trails are open for practicing proper social distance measures, The Grove and the Circle remain open for activities that are not considered public or group “amusement or recreation” such as picnics, social gatherings and pick-up games.
- UM Libraries will close and ask that you do not return materials to the library. No overdue fines or fees will be assessed at this time.
- The IHL announced modified schedules and procedures for Mississippi’s eight public universities. This plan is likely to be changed or expanded upon by individual universities.
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Ole Miss has canceled all classes on the Oxford campus and the regional campuses for March 16-20to allow professors to prepare foronline coursework beginning March 23rd. Students are encouraged to return home and stay off-campus, and out of Oxford, during this dead period and online course proceeding. Campus housing, dining and other services will be available to those students without other options (contact the housing office at 662-915-7328) on a limited basis.Here is the full statement from the University of Mississippi.
Community
- Here are the key points of Governor Reeves’ shelter-in-place order.
- The Lafayette County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution acknowledging Governor Reeves’ order. Penalties of a $500 fine or up to 6 months in jail if anyone is found in violation of the resolution is included.
- The City of Oxford Board of Aldermen passed a second resolution regarding the Coronavirus on March 22.
- The Board passed a third resolution declaring additional measures following Governor Reeves’ order. Shelter-in-place will be extended through April 30.
- Read Mayor Robyn Tannehill’s update regarding the resolution here.
- Mayor Tannehill offers insight on essential businesses.
- Watch the Board Meeting regarding the third resolution here.
- Watch the March 22nd City of Oxford Board Meeting here.
- Two free COVID-19 testing sites will be operating in Clarksdale and Olive Branch by appointment.
- Oxford Utilities has issued a 60-day disconnect suspension, running from March 15.
- Information about alcohol sales in Oxford.
- City of Oxford curbside recycling will be suspended as of May 1. There will be two locations for dropoff.
- Governor Tate Reeves declared a state of emergency for the state of Mississippi and signed two executive orders in response to the outbreak.
Reeves said he’s still taking a ”Wait and See” approach to a shelter-at-home order.- Governor Reeves has signed an additional executive order closing restaurant dining rooms and banning gatherings of 10 or more.
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The first case of Coronavirus has been confirmed in Lafayette County.Mayor Tannehill issued a video statement. - The City of Oxford has released guidelines on testing and detection.
- The Oxford Municipal Court issued a special order.
The closure of local businesses have not been reported at this time.- Oxford bars and restaurants will close dining rooms and transition to take-out only.
- Kroger will open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. for those 55 years old or older.
- Larson’s Cash Saver issued a one person per buggy mandate.
- The City of Oxford will furlough 135 city employees.
- The Lafayette County Detention Center will offer online visitation.
- mTrade Park Facilities and some Oxford Park Commission facilities will be closed until March 27.
Neither Lafayette County nor Oxford School Districts have announced closures, but will monitor the situation closely.Oxford School District will close schools through at least March 27th.
“Based on President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency today, the Oxford School District will be closing schools through at least March 27,” said superintendent Brian Harvey. “We are currently working on plans to provide instruction to all students enrolled in the District.”
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Lafayette County School District will extend spring break and all schools will remain closed on Monday and Tuesday.No announcement has been made beyond March 17. -
All Mississippi schools will close through April 17th.Here is the announcement from Governor Reeves. - All Mississippi schools will close for the remainder of the school year. Distanced learning will continue.
- The Oxford School District will provide meals to ALL children (not just those enrolled in OSD schools).
- Oxford School District students will move to online instruction.
- The Lafayette County School District has provided a page for information on the situation.
Double Decker Arts Festival will attempt to continue as planned.- Double Decker Arts Festival, scheduled for April 24th and 25th is postponed.
A reschedule date has yet to be announced, but is in the works. - Double Decker Arts Festival will reschedule for August 14-15, 2020.
- Oxford’s capital murder trials will be pushed back as a result of the pandemic.
- Mississippi casinos will close indefinitely.
- Public WiFi can be found at these locations.
- The Oxford University Airport has been awarded COVID-19 relief.
- Greg Jones, owner of LB’s Meat Market, joined Podcast Rebellion to discuss the impact.