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BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Chairman Bryan Threadgill, District 4 Vice-Chairman Alfred McCoy, District 3 Commissioner Shirley Hines, District 1 Commissioner Mary Bray, District 2 Commissioner Beth Neely-Hadley, District 5 Theron Gay, County Manager Beverly A. Thomas, County Clerk Nathan T. Lee, Attorney 17234 Roosevelt Hwy Building B Greenville, GA 30222 I Phone (706) 672-1314 Fax (706) 672-4465 www.meriwethercountyga.gov PRESS RELEASE 3-24-2020 The Meriwether County Board of Commissioners called an Emergency Teleconference Meeting on March 24, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. to discuss additional emergency measures necessary to help prevent the continued spread of COVID-19. Due to the existing State of Emergency in Meriwether County, the following regulations shall be in effect starting at 5:00 p.m., March 24,2020 until further notice. Section 1. Eating Establishments Restaurants and other eating and dining establishments where food is served must cease offering dine-in services but may continue preparing and offering food to customers via delivery, drive-through or take-out services. Patrons, employees and contractors of the establishments must maintain at least six feet of personal distance between themselves as much as possible given the physical constraints of the premises. If a restaurant is licensed to sell beer and wine for on-premises consumption, such restaurant, during the effective dates of this ordinance only, shall be authorized to sell unopened bottles or cans of beer or wine for take-out consumption off-premises; Section 2. Closure of Certain Businesses: Gyms, fitness centers, indoor amusement facilities, bowling alleys, pool halls, theaters, massage parlors, nail salons, hair salons, barber shops, and any other similar facilities must close and remain closed for the duration of this emergency. Section 3. Personal Distance Establishments such as grocery stores, pharmacies, and other businesses which remain open during the emergency must post signage on entrance doors informing customers to maintain at least six feet of personal distance between themselves and others as much as possible given the physical constraints of the premises. Business shall closely monitor occupancy levels to assure that social distancing of 6 feet is maintained at all times. Meriwether County further recommends that businesses with an intercom or public announcement system utilize such equipment to help remind patrons of the social distancing requirements. Section 4. Gatherings All public and private gatherings of more than ten (10) people are prohibited. This provision shall include all churches, places of religious worship, funerals, family reunions, and political gatherings. Nothing in this ordinance, however, prohibits the gathering of individuals for the purposes of carrying on business certified as “essential” by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 38-3-58 or designated by the Governor as “critical infrastructure” or the provision of medical or health services. ---PAGE BREAK--- BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Chairman Bryan Threadgill, District 4 Vice-Chairman Alfred McCoy, District 3 Commissioner Shirley Hines, District 1 Commissioner Mary Bray, District 2 Commissioner Beth Neely-Hadley, District 5 Theron Gay, County Manager Beverly A. Thomas, County Clerk Nathan T. Lee, Attorney 17234 Roosevelt Hwy Building B Greenville, GA 30222 I Phone (706) 672-1314 Fax (706) 672-4465 www.meriwethercountyga.gov Section 5. Emergency Interim Successor to County Manager: The governing authority desires to make certain that the chain of authority within Meriwether County management is clear. If the County Manager is unable to perform his duties, the Commission Chairman and one available commissioner shall assume the duties of the County Manager. In the event the Commission Chairman is unable to serve in this capacity, the Vice Chairman and one available commissioner will assume said duties. Section 6. Curfew A curfew is imposed :00 a.m. effective immediately. Residents, unless “exempt 6 :00 p.m. to 9 from ir property during the curfew period. individuals” as defined herein, shall remain in their homes or on the viduals engaged in the provision of designated, essential services, such Exempt individuals include those indi irs; as fire; law enforcement; medical and hospital services; military services; utility repa persons seeking medical services or hospital services; individuals traveling to and from their jobs with appropriate identification; individuals engaged in the delivery of food, medicine, medical supplies, fuel stocking of grocery stores, pharmacies, and convenience stores; - o, the re including, but not limited t individuals engage in the retrieval or transport of bodies under the direction of funeral service personnel; sinesses designated by the Georgia (10) news media employees; (11) designated employees or agents of bu 58; (12) persons providing - 3 - Emergency Management Agency as “essential” pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 38 necessary care of companion animals in the custody and care of an animal shelter, boarding facility, or itical infrastructure businesses and employees as designated by the Governor or kennel; and (13) cr ; (14) identified by U.S. Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency . s l in the provision of service uthority as essentia a Volunteers deemed by Meriwether County governing ---PAGE BREAK--- BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Chairman Bryan Threadgill, District 4 Vice-Chairman Alfred McCoy, District 3 Commissioner Shirley Hines, District 1 Commissioner Mary Bray, District 2 Commissioner Beth Neely-Hadley, District 5 Theron Gay, County Manager Beverly A. Thomas, County Clerk Nathan T. Lee, Attorney 17234 Roosevelt Hwy Building B Greenville, GA 30222 I Phone (706) 672-1314 Fax (706) 672-4465 www.meriwethercountyga.gov “Essential Business and Services”, are defined as: 1. Healthcare Operations and Essential Infrastructure. 2. Grocery stores, farmers’ markets, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, food banks, convenience stores, and other establishments engaged in the retail sales of canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supply, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, and any other household consumer products (such as cleaning and personal care products). This includes stores that sell groceries and also sell other non-grocery products, and products necessary to maintaining the health, safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences. 3. Food cultivation, including farming, livestock, and fishing. 4. Businesses that provide food, shelter, and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals. 5. Newspapers, television, radio, and other media services. 6. Gas stations and auto-supply, auto-repair, and related facilities. 7. Banks and related financial institutions. 8. Hardware stores, lodging businesses hotels, motels, conference centers). 9. Plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences, essential activities, and essential businesses. 10. Business providing mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes. 11. Educational institutions-including public and private K-12 schools, colleges, and universities—for purposes of facilitating distance learning or performing essential functions, provided that social distancing of six-feet per person is maintained to the greatest extent possible. 12. Laundromats, dry cleaners, and laundry service providers. 13. Restaurants and other facilities that prepare and serve food, but only for delivery or carry out. Schools and other entities that typically provide food services to students or members of the public may continue to do so under this Order on the condition that the food is provided to students or members of the public on a pick-up and takeaway basis only. Schools and other entities that provide food services under this exemption shall not permit the food to be eaten at the site where it is provided, or at any other gathering site. Cafeterias in hospitals, nursing homes, or similar facilities shall not be subject to the restrictions contained in these regulations. 14. Businesses that supply products needed for people to work from home. 15. Businesses that supply other essential businesses with the support or supplies necessary to operate. 16. Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, goods or services directly to residences. 17. Home-based care for seniors, adults, or children 18. Residential facilities and shelters for seniors, adults, and children. 19. Professional services, such as legal or accounting services. 20. Childcare facilities. 21. Utility, water, sewer, gas, electrical, oil refining, roads and highways, railroads, public transportation, taxi/rideshare, solid waste collection and removal, internet, and telecommunications systems (including the provision of essential global, national, and local infrastructure for computing services, business infrastructure, communications, and web-based services). ---PAGE BREAK--- BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Chairman Bryan Threadgill, District 4 Vice-Chairman Alfred McCoy, District 3 Commissioner Shirley Hines, District 1 Commissioner Mary Bray, District 2 Commissioner Beth Neely-Hadley, District 5 Theron Gay, County Manager Beverly A. Thomas, County Clerk Nathan T. Lee, Attorney 17234 Roosevelt Hwy Building B Greenville, GA 30222 I Phone (706) 672-1314 Fax (706) 672-4465 www.meriwethercountyga.gov 22. Businesses and Industries identified by the US Department of Homeland Security as an Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce. 23. Any other business deemed as essential by the Meriwether County governing authority.