ATLANTA — Metro Atlanta counties and cities are announcing stricter community restrictions to try to stop the spread of the coronavirus in their communities.
City of Alpharetta
All bars, restaurants, and similar businesses that sell food and/or non-alcoholic and/or alcoholic beverages for consumption on premises, provide entertainment on premises, or allow for the gathering of ten (10) or more persons on premises shall be closed to in-person dining, consumption of alcohol, entertainment, or gathering of persons until the expiration or reenactment of this Ordinance, whichever is later. Businesses that allow for the gathering of ten (10) or more persons shall only refer to restaurants, gyms, fitness centers, bowling alleys, arcades, movie theaters, live performance venues, and public and private clubs.
Bars, restaurants, and business that sell food or beverages for consumption on premises may offer food for take-away, take-out, or delivery to be consumed off premise. All businesses shall be authorized to sell to customers, whom simultaneously purchase food, unopened bottles of beer and/or wine for consumption off premise; provided, however, that off premise delivery of alcoholic beverages shall be prohibited.
Most city parks are closed but paths and the Greenway remain open.
Athens-Clarke County
Athens-Clarke County is under a mandatory 24/7 ″shelter in place."
People will be required to do social distancing and stay at home. There are exceptions to the order for essential traveling, including to the grocery store, to pick up medications, work-related activities and caring for family members.
Restaurants can remain open but for takeout and delivery only. Click here to read the full ordinance and exceptions.
City of Atlanta
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced a 14-day stay-at-home order starting March 23. The order requires people within the city limits to stay in their homes except for essential services, activities, work or for government services.
As of right now, the order does not include essential businesses, parks, the Atlanta BeltLine and restaurants serving takeout.
The order also directs all businesses to cease non-essential operation at physical locations with the city limits.
City of Ball Ground
At a Special Called Emergency Meeting of the Ball Ground City Council held at 9:00 AM this morning, the attached Declaration was approved unanimously by the City Council. At the direction of the City Council Mayor Roberts signed the attached Declaration into law effective at midnight on March 26, 2020.
If you have any questions, please contact City Manager Eric Wilmarth at 770-533-1112 or ewilmarth@cityofballground.com.
Barrow County
Barrow County has issued a Stay at Home order. The County has also discussed with the municipalities located within Barrow County (excluding the Town of Braselton and City of Auburn, which previously adopted a stay at home order), the need for each municipality to approve a similar order in order to most effectively limit the further spread of COVID-19 within Barrow County and the region.
City of Brookhaven
During its regular business meeting on March 24, the Brookhaven City Council extended and clarified the emergency declaration and suspension of dine-in service for all Brookhaven restaurants and alcohol-serving establishments until April 15.
“Brookhaven was the first city to declare a state of emergency and take action to prevent the spread of this highly contagious virus. Now that other governments have stepped up and enacted measures to promote responsible social distancing, our extension and clarifying language keeps us all on the same page as we collectively fight to contain the spread of Coronavirus,” said Mayor John Ernst.
While restaurant dine-in and counter services are suspended until April 15, delivery and takeout services are still allowed by establishments which are properly permitted and offer those services. In addition to food and beverage sales, any gathering of 10 or more persons is prohibited, whether or not food or beverages are sold.
In addition, all Brookhaven residents are instructed and directed to remain at home unless engaged in essential services, performing essential government services, or to operate essential businesses. These functions are itemized in the declaration, but generally allow for any daily task necessary to maintain health and well-being, including getting food and medical supplies, and taking walks or hikes as long as six-foot social distancing is exercised.
In addition, Brookhaven City Hall, and Parks & Recreation facilities and playground equipment structures located within parks are also closed to the general public through April 15.
“Brookhaven’s Public Works projects have been able to stay on schedule during the administrative closures, including the dredging at Murphy Candler Lake. We will utilize the time between now and April 15 to begin returning to normal operations on a limited basis in other departments as well,” said City Manager Christian Sigman. “We are looking at a variety of options, to ensure we are serving the public while simultaneously protecting the health and well-being of employees and the general public.”
The City of Brookhaven has compiled information as it pertains to public health guidelines from the Governor’s Office, Board of Health, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and government response. It can be found at www.BrookhavenGA.gov/COVID19.
City of Canton
Mayor Bill Grant signed the Emergency Declaration and Shelter in Place Order Wednesday afternoon.
City of Clarkston
The city issued a public stay-at-home notice Friday.
Carroll County
Carroll County has ordered that residents shelter in place and not leave their homes except for essential activities. “Some reasons you would leave your home are to get food, to get a prescription, to see a doctor, to go to work if your work is considered “essential,” to take your child(ren) to and from childcare, and to help people you care for get the things they need to live and be healthy and safe.”
Public and private gatherings outside a home are prohibited. Restaurants are only allowed to serve to-go or delivery orders.
The City of Chamblee
The city has issued a mandatory shelter-in-place and asks residents to not leave their homes except for essential activities. The order begins Saturday night at 6 p.m.
“Massage establishments, nail salons, spas, beauty salons, barbers, bowling alleys, gyms, fitness centers, and any other establishment offering personal grooming services shall be closed until this Order is lifted,” the mayor said in a statement. “A person violating any provision of this Order shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished as provided in Chamblee Code Secti
Cherokee County
Cherokee County has a shelter in place order. For information, including updates and actions, regarding COVID-19, please visit https://www.cherokeega.com/_focus/corona-virus-plan.php
Clayton County
Clayton County has issued a shelter-in-place order effective at midnight on Tuesday for 12 days. People can only leave their houses for essential activities. Officials also ask people maintain social distancing of 6 feet when people are outside.
Cobb County
Cobb County declared a state of emergency on Tuesday and ordered residents to shelter in place until April 15. The declaration prohibits gatherings of more than 10 people, closes all parks and rec buildings and orders all nonessential businesses to operate no earlier than 6 a.m. and no later than 9 p.m.
This includes the Silver Comet Trail in Cobb County.
The executive order requires restaurants to close dining rooms to the public and perform only take-out or delivery services. All Essential Businesses which remain open for use by the public must take the necessary steps to restrict in-person contact and maintain a distance of 6 feet between individuals while in the establishment. The order went into effect Wednesday at noon.
City of College Park
The City of College Park has declared a State of Emergency due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Mayor and Council held a special-called meeting on Thursday, March 19, where the body voted to establish a curfew on all bar/pub establishments, nightclubs, restaurants and any other businesses providing prepared foods and beverages for the public.
Effective immediately, those establishments are required to close no later than 10:00pm each day and remain closed until 7:00am. The newly revised ordinance does not include gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Additionally, any business licensed to distribute alcohol shall cease that service 30-minutes prior to closing or by 9:30pm.
Beginning Monday, March 23, non-essential personnel will no longer report to work at City Hall. Although City Hall was open by appointment only this week, city administration determined that additional action was necessary to ensure the health and safety of all employees. Those staff members who telework will continue to do so. The current plan directs staff to return on April 6th.
Although City Hall will be closed, customer service drive-thru operations will remain in effect during the hours of 8a – 5p. Please note: wait times may be increased, so utility customers are encouraged to go collegeparkga.com and pay online.
City of Covington
Covington City Council declared a local state of emergency and issued a curfew starting Friday. People in Covington are urged to stay inside between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. The city is also prohibiting gatherings of more than 10 people.
Coweta County:
Coweta County does not have a Stay in Place order at this time.
City of Cumming:
The mayor of Cumming has rescinded his order of social distancing.
“While the intent of the order was to protect the public from the spread of COVID-19, it is obvious that a large portion of our public doesn’t want government mandating the recommendations of public health officials.”
City of Dalton
The city has declared a state of emergency in Dalton, Tunnel Hill, Varnell and the Town of Cohutta. The resolution limits all voluntary social gatherings of more than 10 people as well as dine-in restaurant services until April 13. Restaurants can still serve drive through or pick-up orders and can now sell sealed containers of alcohol. The resolution begins 5 p.m., March 23.
City of Decatur
A stay at home order goes into effect at 12;01 a.m. on March 25 for 14 days unless extended. Residents can leave their homes for essential services and activities.
Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett issued a Public Health Emergency Order prohibiting on-premises dining at restaurants and allowing take-out and delivery services between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily, effective immediately.
Individuals using shared outdoor spaces must maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from any other person when they are outside their homes.
DeKalb County
DeKalb County issues Shelter in Place order that goes into effect at 9 p.m. Saturday.
The shelter in place applies to all individuals living in DeKalb County. According to the order, “individuals are permitted to leave their places of residence only to provide or receive certain essential services or engage in certain essential activities and work for essential businesses and essential governmental functions.”
“We are trying to save lives from the serious COVID-19 public health threat,” CEO Thurmond said.
Douglas County:
On March 25, the Douglas County Board of Health, working under the Georgia Governor’s State of Emergency, voted unanimously to issue an Executive Order requiring that all businesses enforce social distancing practices, limit non-essential services and that residents shelter in place (except for essential activities) until April 10, 2020.
City of Duluth
The City of Duluth voted Friday afternoon to declare a state of emergency in the City. The action allows the Mayor and other City leaders to take extraordinary measures to aid the businesses affected by the COVID-19 outbreak and to help prevent the spread of the disease.
Effective at 5:00pm on March 20, 2020, all bars and restaurants who sell food or beverage for consumption on site shall be closed to in-person and patio dining. These businesses may offer food for take-away and those properly licensed may sell unopened bottles of beer or wine for take-out.
Prior to this declaration the City had put into effect the following measures:
- Closure of City Administrative Offices (including Parks & Recreation, Public Works, Municipal Court and the Records Office) to the public until further notice. During this time staff will operate on a mix of staggered schedules and telecommuting.
- Complete closure of City Hall through March 25. During this time staff will be telecommuting.
- Cancellation of all Parks & Recreation evening and weekend programs and Active Adult programs through April 6.
- Cancellation of all Parks & Recreation league play until further notice.
- Suspension of Municipal Court until April 13.
- Closure of City dumpsters starting March 23 until further notice.
For more information about our COVID-19 response click here.
City of Dunwoody:
A shelter-in-place order begins Saturday at midnight. The order will be in effect through April 15. The order requires people to “remain at their place of residence” but allows for outdoor activity, like walking, running and bicycling, as long as they “maintain social distancing of at least six feet” from those outside of their family or household.
Individuals may also leave their homes to engage in essential activities.
City of East Point
Starting March 23 at 12 a.m., all bars, restaurants and other establishments that sell food and drinks are closed to in-person dining. Restaurants can offer food for takeout or deliver only. Places that sell alcohol may sell unopened bottles for take-out orders.
Non-essential businesses and services are ordered to close starting March 24 at 12 a.m. for seven days.
City of Fayetteville
Declared a state of emergency effective Wednesday, March 25. On Tuesday evening during a special called Fayetteville City Council meeting, Ordinance 0-4-20 was adopted, which orders all non-essential businesses and services to close and remain closed until Tuesday, April 7, 2020. Under this new and temporary ordinance, all restaurants, and other establishments which sell food or beverages for consumption on the premises or who provide entertainment on the premises shall be closed to in-person dining, alcohol consumption, or entertainment. These restaurants may offer food for take away, delivery, or for customers to eat at location(s) other than the establishment.
During the term of this ordinance, any establishment licensed for the sale of beer and/or wine for consumption on the premises may sell unopened bottles or cans of beer and bottles of wine with the purchase of food for takeout only, but not delivery. Unopened cans and bottles must meet federal law for sealed containers.
City of Forest Park
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Forest Park has issued a shelter-in-place order starting Monday, March 30 at 10 p.m. until April 13.
“This global pandemic has now reached the City of Forest Park and the appropriate action must be taken to ensure the health and well-being of our residents, citizens and guests,” officials said in a statement.
Forsyth County
Forsyth County has not issued a local ‘stay in place’ order. Likewise, the County has not issued a ‘no dine in’ order.
"We are encouraging residents to follow Governor Kemp’s Executive Order issued yesterday (March 23, 2020) regarding specific persons sheltering in place and the closure of businesses meeting the definition of ‘bar’ as defined by Georgia State Code Section 3-1-2(2.1).
We are also encouraging residents to practice social distancing and other items as recommended by the CDC and Georgia Department of Public Health to slow the spread of COVID-19."
City of Griffin
The City of Griffin Board of Commissioners hereby declare a public health state of emergency within the city because of the proliferation of COVID-19 in the United States and the State of Georgia, which will remain in force and effect for fourteen (14) days from the date hereof. Click the link below to view the declaration in its entirety. Declaration: Link
Gwinnett County
Gwinett County has issued a Stay at Home order starting at midnight tonight and lasting until April 13.
– Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairman Charlotte Nash and the mayors of the cities in Gwinnett have issued stay at home orders for their respective jurisdictions as a means to protect the health, safety and welfare of Gwinnett County residents. This move is being made in a coordinated fashion in order to slow the spread of COVID-19 and to preserve the community’s capacity to provide essential governmental and healthcare services.
Nash said emergency circumstances that exist as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic require extraordinary and immediate corrective actions to protect the health, safety and welfare of the residents of Gwinnett County.
“We are all navigating uncharted waters as we respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency, and I am grateful to each of the cities for their decisive actions,” said Nash. “The district commissioners and I would like to express our deep appreciation to all of our residents and businesses for making temporary sacrifices for the good of our communities as our hospitals, healthcare workers, and first responders prepare for a rapidly growing caseload.”
Gwinnett Municipal Association President Kelly Kelkenberg said Gwinnett’s 16 cities recognize the value of consistent directives for all residents in Gwinnett County during this critical time.
“The cities have worked to align their emergency decisions with the directives of Gov. Kemp, guidance from the public health department, and Gwinnett County’s local emergency orders,” said Kelkenberg, who also serves as mayor pro-tem for the city of Duluth. “Our residents need to understand the extreme danger and seriousness of the coronavirus, to which no one has immunity. We are acting in unison to stem its spread, to keep from overwhelming our medical facilities, and to save lives.”
Residents may leave their homes to conduct activities that are essential to their own health and safety and that of family/household members, partners, significant others, and pets. Essential activities include, but are not limited to, obtaining food, medication and medical supplies, household consumer supplies and healthcare services or caring for a family member or pet in another household. It is also permissible to engage in outdoor activity, like walking, hiking, running or bicycling, as long as individuals comply with social distancing requirements.
The local emergency order also mandates all businesses that operate in Gwinnett County to cease all activity except for the minimum necessary activities to maintain the value of the business’ inventory, ensure security, process payroll and employee benefits, and related functions. This directive applies to for-profit, nonprofit or private educational entities; it excludes essential businesses. Businesses consisting exclusively of employees or contractors who work from home may continue to operate.
All essential businesses are strongly encouraged to remain open while adhering to social distancing requirements. Such businesses include healthcare, grocery stores; certified farmer’s markets; organizations that provide food, shelter and social services to those in need; news agencies; gas stations, auto supply and auto repair shops; banks; and restaurants that offer delivery, takeout or drive-thru service. For a complete list, please refer to the order.
Individuals who work to provide essential services or essential products may leave their places of residence to carry out these activities.
The order also makes exceptions for essential governmental functions and essential infrastructure, meaning public works construction, private construction and related activities, utilities, telecommunications and solid waste services. First responders, emergency management personnel, 911 dispatchers, court personnel, law enforcement personnel and others who perform essential services, such as healthcare workers, are exempt from the order.
This local emergency order will be in effect from 12:01 a.m. on March 28, 2020, through 11:59 p.m. on April 13, 2020, or until it is extended, rescinded, superseded or amended in writing by the chairman.
Gilmer County:
Residents have been ordered to shelter in place until April 7.
A shelter-in-place order will require all nonessential workers to stay at home during the period of the order. Exceptions will be made for emergencies and to get groceries and medication.
Essential businesses include pharmacies, grocery stores, banks, the courthouse, liquor stores, gas stations, food production and transportation.
Hall County:
Hall County adopted a resolution Tuesday to close all in-person dining and patio dining at bars and restaurants starting at 3 p.m. Wednesday. The resolution allows for takeout or to-go orders and allows businesses with alcohol licenses to serve bottled beer and wine.
Henry County:
Henry County has an emergency declaration in place and announced Tuesday that they will prohibit in-person dining and require all indoor recreation, fitness and entertainment facilities to close immediately and remain closed for the duration of the resolution. The state of emergency will remain in effect until April 7.
It also states that all eating establishments, including bars and nightclubs within county limits, need to immediately close in-person dining, consumption of alcohol and entertainment, and to only provide delivery, take-out or drive-thru services. The resolution also encourages the reduction of people who attend worship services and physical distancing. The resolution does not pertain to cafeterias located within medical, industrial, government or other production facilities that are necessary to promote health, welfare and vital resources in Henry County.
In accordance with CDC guidelines, the resolution additionally states that it is in the best interest of citizens to not gather in crowds of 10 people or more in any location. It also advises all businesses that plan on remaining open during this emergency to carry out out procedure and practices that ensure clients, customers, staff and employees to maintain appropriate physical distancing and ensure proper cleaning and sanitizing within each respective business.
It also states that any non-essential businesses that cannot operate without ensuring that their clients, customers, staff and employees maintain physical distancing of at least six feet, should close during this state of emergency.
City of Johns Creek
Johns Creek has declared a public health State of Emergency. Johns Creek is closing city hall, fields and facilities at all city parks and canceling all sports programs and city events through May 10.
City of LaGrange
The mayor has declared a state of emergency. Most city buildings are now closed. The public safety building and fire department remain open with a few restrictions.
Please be aware when you call for public safety you will be asked a series of questions to provide the safety of our citizens and public safety. Police and Fire will ask citizens to meet the first responder at the front door and the report will be taken outside the residence. If you come to the police department, a report will also be made outside of the LPD building. You can continue to pay your utility bills through the mail, the city’s drive thru or drop box at City Hall, 200 Ridley Avenue, online at www.lagrangege.net, through your online banking or by phone at (706) 883-2030.
You will no longer be able to walk into City Hall to pay your utility bill in person. Customers are still responsible to pay for utility bills. The city will be suspending utility disconnections for non-payment of delinquent accounts. Requests for new service can be made through our utility website at www.lagrange.net.
The City of LaGrange Municipal Court and Probation Services will be closed to the public. Defendants scheduled to appear in court Monday, March 23rd through Tuesday, April 14th will be rescheduled at a later date. To make a payment go to www.lagrangemunicipal.org or call 1-844-733-3166.
City of Loganville
The city has issued a stay at home order that will start Monday, March 30. Officials are asking people to stay at home except to conduct activities essential to your health and safety.
City of McCaysville
The city has declared a state of emergency. The order prohibits gatherings of 10 or more people and in-person dining. Take-out or drive-through is allowed. The order also closes all gyms, movie theaters, music venues, bowling alleys and arcades, pools, parlors, nail salons, hair salons and private clubs. The state of emergency starts Wednesday at 9 p.m.
City of McDonough
The city of McDonough has declared a state of emergency.
All City of McDonough government buildings will remain closed to the public until further notice. Closures include McDonough City Hall, Municipal Court, Police Department, Fire Stations, Public Works, Main Street Welcome Center, and the C.O. Polk Museum.
All City parks and restrooms have been closed until further notice including Alexander Park East, Alexander Park West, Avalon Park, HOPE Park, Richard Craig Park, and Rufus Stewart Park. During the closure, we will be pressure washing and sanitizing the restrooms and playgrounds to ensure they are ready for when they are reopened.
Out of consideration for the well-being of our citizens, we have temporarily suspended all water cut-offs and will reevaluate the timeframe as the situation develops. We encourage all customers to continue to make regular payments online, over the phone, by utilizing our drop box, or by visiting our drive-through. The convenience fee for paying online or over the automated phone line will be credited back to accounts.
The Community Development Department is currently only accepting inspection requests for items that are immediately ready for inspection, with the condition that inspectors must be allowed to conduct inspections of the subject property unattended to comply with social distancing precautions. Permits may be purchased over the phone with a credit card and can be obtained via email.
In accordance with CDC recommendations, all City and Main Street events have been cancelled until further notice. There has been no determination made relative to convening the April 2, 2020 City Council Workshop; however, we are looking into various options.
We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we work to ensure that decisions are made in the best interest of our employees and the public. Please visit the City of McDonough’s website at www.mcdonoughga.org or City’s social media for updates and the latest information.
City of Norcross:
The city has issued a stay at home order through April 27 and urges citizens to limit movements outside of their homes beyond essential needs.
Paulding County:
Paulding County issued a State of Emergency on Thursday that closes parks, dine-in service, allows bars and restaurants to sell to-go alcohol and stops utility cut-off. Read the full declaration here.
City of Sandy Springs
Sandy Springs has instituted a shelter-in-place and urges residents to only leave the house for essential services. Groups outside a single household are not allowed to gather. Businesses must shut down across the city and use work-from-home strategies.
" Businesses providing essential services must enforce CDC social distancing requirements among all patrons and staff within their facilities and frequently sanitize counters, credit/debit machines, carts and other items used by the public or face closure under Gov. Kemp’s Executive Order mandating social distancing.
All of our local businesses need our support now more than ever, particularly our locally owned small businesses. Please continue to patronize our local shops and restaurants through carryout or delivery orders or the purchase of gift cards for future use when social distancing is no longer needed." Visit visitsandysprings.org/restaurants-take-home for a list of restaurants in Sandy Springs that offer takeout, delivery or curbside pickup.
Smyrna
Smyrna Mayor Derek Norton has expanded his order that closes some businesses during the coronavirus pandemic until April 24.
City of South Fulton
On Wednesday, the mayor of the City of South Fulton declared a state of emergency and implemented a curfew in the county. Residents are instructed to be inside their homes between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. with the exception of people going to and from medical facilities/work, responding to emergencies, emergency and public safety personnel, essential city personnel, people traveling through the city or making deliveries within the city.
In addition, gatherings of more than 10 people are restricted and all business are ordered to close indoor access to the general public by 9 p.m., aside from medical and pharmaceutical establishments.
Rockdale County
Rockdale County is issuing a 14-day mandatory Shelter in Place requiring residents to stay home unless for essential business or needs. This order will go into effect starting Thurs., March 26 at 12:01 a.m. and will expire Wed., April 8 at 11:59 p.m.
City of Rome
The Rome City Commission has ordered residents to shelter in place starting Tuesday.
“Those who do leave their residences are asked as part of the ordinance to strictly adhere to social distancing practices when reasonably possible and not gather in groups of more than 10 people.”
South Fulton County:
On Wednesday night, the South Fulton County officials announced they are recommending all residents begin to shelter-in-place immediately. The cities include Chattahoochee Hills, College Park, East Point, Fairburn, Hapeville, Palmetto, South Fulton and Union City.
“We recommend that individuals avoid all gatherings except to seek medical attention, get food, get to work in jobs which are essential for the care, health, and safety of our communities, or to care for a friend or relative. Please continue to follow all CDC and health department guidelines regarding COVID-19 safety in your homes and all other settings”
City of Tucker
Tucker Mayor Frank Auman on Tuesday issued a new emergency declaration, amending an ordinance that already featured stringent requirements for addressing the coronavirus outbreak. In addition to providing specifics and clarity on previous orders, the declaration takes the following steps:
- Suspending in-person dining at restaurants
- Temporarily closing businesses with close customer contact (salons and massage establishments)
- Requiring that seniors and those with weakened immune systems stay home
- Halting late fees and penalties for businesses delinquent in securing a business license
“We’re issuing an amended order to make clear to our residents and businesses the range of things we’ve done and are doing, and to make clear that these are enforceable and will be enforced,” Auman said. “We agree that aligning all the policies of the City and the County makes sense, but ours is smarter, more focused, more effective at gaining wide compliance and easier to unwind when the time comes.”
Tucker previously was under a 9 p.m.-6 a.m. mandatory curfew for residents and businesses with certain exceptions. Similarly, the City had mandated that CDC requirements on social distancing and large groups be followed. All of these mandates continue under the new emergency declaration.
City of Villa Rica
The mayor of Villa Rica has declared a state of emergency effective immediately. The mayor also signed an executive order that shuts down dining rooms, parks, fitness centers and bars.
The executive order will allow restaurants to sell alcohol with take out orders.
White County
White County Board of Commissioners recently enacted a local State of Emergency which establishes an emergency protective ordinance to help control the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). Events over the March 27-28 weekend indicate that there are still many people not following the rules.
Among the areas of concern are entrances to outdoor recreation facilities located in the county including several USFS trailheads which have been closed. County officials stated that cars are parking on the side of county roads, such as Chambers Road that leads to the trailhead for Yonah Mountain, and are causing traffic and public safety issues. Many of the violators have out-ofcounty license plates, according to the White County officials. Barricades and signage notifying people of the closed trail has been posted on Chambers Road. White County will have extra deputies assigned to the Yonah Mountain trail head and one who will monitor the US Forest Service trailheads on Richard Russell Scenic Highway and at the head of the Chattahoochee River.
County officials have also chained the gate at Yonah Preserve, the county’s mountain bike and hiking trailhead, because people had forced open the electronically closed gate.
White County has received numerous calls from concerned citizens asking why major roads entering the county are not closed to prevent people from other areas from traveling to our community. The main reason is that the main roads are federal and state highways and not under the jurisdiction of White County, according to county officials.
If citizens are aware of individuals or businesses that are in violation of the Governor’s State of Emergency order, they can report those incidents the Governor’s office at www.gov.georgia.gov and then click on “Contact Us” and then click on “Constituent Services” which will take you to a form to fill out. The following information is needed in the report:
- Business Name/Location;
- Address
- County
- Telephone Number
- Specific details of the complaint
Last week, White County closed all dine-in restaurant operations while allowing take-out, curbside, drive-thru and delivery options. Additionally, wineries, and breweries have closed tasting rooms, however they may provide retail package sales of wines and malt beverages to be consumed off premises, however, no open container sales are allowed. The resolution also closed all body care service businesses which require physical contact between the provider and client such as beauty or nail salons. All indoor recreations facilities are also closed.
Last week the cities Helen and Cleveland in White County also passed similar resolutions closing the dine-in operations of restaurants and limiting community gatherings.
The U.S. Forest Service also closed several popular hiking trails in White County including Ravan Cliffs Falls, Yonah Mountain, Dukes Creek Falls and Anna Ruby Falls, along with campsites at Anna Ruby Falls, Low Gap Campground, Andrews Cove and the Upper Chattahoochee campgrounds.
DNR State campgrounds have also closed visitor’s centers and playground areas to promote social distancing measures.
Local law enforcement officers with state and federal officers are patrolling these trails and campgrounds for violations of community gatherings.
For more information concerning this press release contact the White County Emergency Management Agency at 706-865-9500.
City of Woodstock
In an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus), the Cities of Canton and Woodstock representing over 60,000 residents in Cherokee County have jointly issued executive orders placing a ban on dining inside restaurant facilities effective at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, March 25 through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, April 12. During the time of this ban, City officials encourage restaurants to utilize alternative options for food sales including, take-out, curbside to-go, and delivery practices. Additionally, each restaurant currently operating under a consumption on premises or pouring permit for beer and wine may sell packaged (un-opened) beer and wine with food services outlined above. Canton and Woodstock believe that the limit of in-facility dining, which goes beyond the measures ordered by Governor Brian Kemp, are best practices to curb the spread of germs while also taking into consideration the health and well-being of patrons and restaurant employees. This ban on dining does not impact personal care facilities, group homes, assisted living facilities, or healthcare cafeterias.
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