In a special meeting on Sunday, March 15, the Mississippi Public Service Commission voted to temporarily suspended disconnections of certain utility services. The restriction will be in place for 60 days and apply to all water, sewer, electricity and gas services.

This action is in response to Gov. Tate Reeves’s Declaration of a State of Emergency on March 14 regarding the spread of COVID-19. In the declaration, direction was given to examine any statutes, rules or regulations that may be temporarily suspended or modified if those regulations would hinder or delay action necessary to cope with the outbreak.

The PSC coordinated with the Mississippi State Department of Health and Mississippi Emergency Management Agency throughout the weekend to implement protocols that ensure all Mississippians have access to essential utility services during the spread of COVID-19.

 This is a temporary suspension of disconnection. Utility customers should continue to pay outstanding bills and pay for services provided during the 60 days.

“We are trying to be as proactive as we can and do our part to not only help prevent the spread of the virus, but to not put any additional stress on utility customers and our workforce,” Public Service Commission Chairman Dane Maxwell said. “It’s very important to us at the PSC to keep our customers and utility partners’ welfare a top priority during this time.”