Madison County Mayor Jimmy Harris declares State of Emergency

Madison County Mayor, Jimmy Harris, just announced a local State of Emergency for public health. Now, although this will affect some businesses right here in Madison County, he wants everyone to know that we are all in this together.

“This is a day nobody ever thought we would be facing but we are, and difficult times require difficult decisions" says Mayor Harris.

In this State of Emergency for Madison County all bars and nightclubs have to close if they receive more than 50 percent of their revenue from the sale of alcohol for on premises consumption.

All restaurants or other businesses that receive more than 50 percent of their revenue from food service have to limit seating to 50 percent of their max capacity or 100 people, which ever is less.

Harris adds, “It’s not something that is taken lightly because we are affecting businesses and people in our community, but the main focus of this is to protect the health of our community.”

If businesses violate the order, Iit would be considered a class C misdemeanor.

The declaration also activates the county emergency management plan.

This comes after a few surrounding counties have confirmed their first case.

Now officials in Jackson and Madison County are saying its not if they find a case, its when.

Now, this State of Emergency does go into effect immediately for all of Madison County. In downtown Jackson, for 39 News, I’m Imani Williams.