Some Georgians are getting back to work as the state slowly reopens after a month-long shelter in place order, but each community is rolling out different plans.
The governor’s office tells Channel 2 that local government cannot issue their own shelter in place order as long Gov. Brian Kemp’s order is in place. The April 23 shelter in place order for medically fragile remains in place until May 13 and supersedes any local ordinance.
[RELATED: Here are the rules for restaurants reopening in Georgia]
Here’s a county-by-county look at the reopening plans that have been reported to Channel 2 Action News so far. We’ll add more communities as plans are finalized, so check back often:
Clayton County: Clayton County will keep government buildings closed until at least mid-May. County Commission Chairman Jeff Turner says " Don’t go out if you don’t have to. Just because a shelter in place is not in place doesn’t mean you have to go outside."
Cobb County - Cobb has no immediate plans once the shelter in place expires but a spokesman says senior centers will remain closed. Trails and passive parks have been reopened recently and the county will look at the remainder of the parks facilities after the public health emergency expires.
DeKalb County - Dekalb CEO Michael Thurmond says he’s taking things slow and cautious. There is a 30 day transition plan. Thurmond’s executive order urges people to wear cloth face coverings at all times in public and urges people over 65 years old to remain home. It extends until May 31. It also includes the following steps:
- Workers are required to report when a member of their household is ill and they should remain home
- It asks employers to consider additional front-line pay and expanded leave policies
- Encourages patrons of open businesses to wear cloth face covers
- Asks employers to obtain adequate personal protective equipment without interfering with the supply for health care workers
- Asks employers to enhance their sanitation practices, including frequent daily cleaning.
Fulton County - County Chairman Robb Pitts says the county is looking at a June first opening for buildings. “In the meantime we may be calling back employees to work, for example in the tag office," Pitts said.
Gwinnett County - Gwinnett offered no plan.
Hall County - Hall County is planning a partial, phased-in reopening beginning May 18. Plans regarding which facilities will reopen are still being developed. The Hall County Government Center, Hall County’s community centers, libraries, park pavilions, playgrounds, and park restrooms will remain closed in the meantime. The Hall County Animal Shelter extended its closure to the public as well; however, staff is continuing to care for the animals there on a daily basis and animals are available for adoption by appointment only. Parks and library programming have been canceled until further notice, and the Hall County Courthouse will continue to operate under its own judicial order. The Hall County Correctional Institute has also scaled back inmate work details countywide in the best interest of the public and its prisoners. The Hall County Landfill, Recycling Center and compactor sites remain open.
Paulding County - Paulding county reopened all county parks and the Silver Comet Trail on April 25, with the exception of Braly Sports Complex. Facilities at parks remain closed and organized sports continues to be prohibited. Social distancing requirements remain in place.
Roswell - The mayors executive order matches Governor Kemp’s order. The Mayor said she will revisit the possibility of reopening some amenities once the shelter-in-place is lifted.
Woodstock- The city plans to reopen some buildings once the order is lifted on May 1, but playgrounds and the senior center will remain closed.
[RELATED: Georgia Department of Public Health Daily Status Report]
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