After lengthy discussion, Athens-Clarke County Commissioners have voted against enforcing mandated social distancing. They did agree to pass an ordinance calling for a voluntary curfew, or Shelter in Place for Athens residents beginning at 9 pm.
Mayor Kelly Girtz and Commissioners convened an emergency meeting for the Declaration of a local state of Emergency related to COVID-19. Commissioners did vote to declare a local state of emergency in Clarke county.
The move gives the government additional emergency powers, authority to waive procedures and fee structures, close of restrict areas, curfews, and prohibition on gatherings. There was a limit of 10 people placed on public gatherings, not including employees, in restaurants, bars and entertainment establishments on facilities owned by the government.
The voluntary Shelter in Place starts Tuesday night, March 17, 2020 and lasts until 5 am Tuesday April 7, 2020. The measure can be extended if necessary.
There were several exceptions granted. They include: people on emergency errands, traveling to and from work, traveling to and from activity involving the exercise of free speech, assembly or religion., traveling through Athens, people walking or running to and from their homes for recreational or fitness purposes and when a person is getting food, medicine or medical care.
Ordinance:
NOW, THEREFORE, the Commission of Athens-Clarke County, Georgia hereby ordains that it is hereby declared that a local state of emergency exists within the territorial limits of the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke, County, Georgia and shall continue until the conditions requiring this declaration are abated.
THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED:
Section 1. That the Athens-Clarke County Office of Emergency Management activates the Emergency Operations Plan;
Section 2. That the following sections of the Athens-Clarke County Code be implemented:
a. Section 3-4-5 Additional Emergency Powers
b. Section 3-4-9. Authority to Waive Procedures and Fee Structures
c. Section 3-4-11. Closed or Restricted Areas and Curfews; Prohibition on Gatherings in accordance with the following directives:
(i) Voluntary Shelter in Place: Beginning at 9:00 P.M. on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, and concluding at 5:00 A.M. on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, unless otherwise extended, a voluntary shelter in place policy is hereby implemented requesting that individuals not loiter, wander, stroll, or play in any public place within the territorial limits of Athens-Clarke County,
provided, however, that the provisions of this section shall not apply in the following instances:
1. When a person is upon an emergency errand;
2. When a person is traveling to, or returning directly home from, lawful employment or otherwise engaged in lawful employment that makes it necessary to be in above referenced places during the proscribed period of time;
3. When a person is attending or traveling directly to or from an activity involving the exercise of First Amendment rights of free speech, freedom of assembly, or free exercise of religion;
4. When a person is engaged in interstate and intrastate vehicular travel through Athens-Clarke County, Georgia;
5. When a person is walking or running to or from their residence for recreational or fitness purposes; and
6. When a person is procuring food or medicine or seeking medical care.
(ii) Prohibition on Gatherings: Beginning at 5:00 P.M. on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, and concluding at 5:00 A.M. on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, unless otherwise extended, all public assemblages, events, and gatherings within the territorial limits of the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County, Georgia shall be prohibited of ten (10) or more people, not including employees, in restaurants, bars, and/or entertainment establishments or in facilities owned by the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County, Georgia or on public property.