Gov. Tate Reeves announced on August 31 that he was increasing stadium capacity to 25 percent, in events where social distancing can be practiced.
He signed the executive order, due in part, to the fact that COVID-19 numbers are dropping across the state.
"I signed the previous order a few weeks ago and it is working," he said. "I'm encouraged by the efforts of the people of our great state."
Previously, the governor signed an executive order limiting attendance at school sporting events and extracurricular activities to two persons per participant in the sport or event.
The state is also under a mask mandate, meaning most residents across Mississippi are requirecd to wear face coverings when out in the public and when social distance can't be practiced.
The mask mandate has been extended.
A total of 274 new cases of coronavirus were reported today, including 32 new deaths. Those numbers include 19 deaths that were determined through the review of vital records, and occurred between July 8 and August 24.
Health officials say numbers are beginning to level off.
However, with Labor Day around the corner, Reeves urged residents to continue to practice social distancing and wear masks to limit exposure to the virus.
"The next 10 days are critical. If you look at our seven-day rolling average in total number of cases, we are about where we were just before July 4," Reeves said. "We were in the range of 700 cases per day, on average. As we saw in middle to late July, partially because of July 4, was a pretty significant uptick of cases (in late July), which led to significant hospitalizations, significant stress on hospital space, and led Dr. Byers, and Dr. Dobbs and I have to some (critical) conversations.
"If we will work extremely hard over next 10 days, we can really drive our daily case numbers down."
