Governor Kemp Announces Reopening of Some Businesses Starting April 24
During Governor Kemp’s press conference on Monday, he announced steps he is authorizing to begin to reopen Georgia’s economy. You can read the Governor’s remarks here and view the Executive Order he signed here You can also find President Trump’s Guidelines for Reopening America here.
What's Included in the Executive Order?
  • Medical practices, dental practices, orthodontics practices, optometry practices, physical therapists, ambulatory surgical centers, physicians performing elective surgeries, healthcare institutions, medical facilities and any and all other healthcare-related practices and services that have ceased operations should begin treating patients in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service guidelines and provisions of the Executive Order.
  • April 24 – All gyms, fitness centers, bowling alleys, body art studios, estheticians, hair designers and massage therapists may begin in-person Minimum Basic Operations as defined by the Executive Order.

Additionally, in his remarks he said:

  • April 27 - Subject to social distancing and sanitation mandates, theaters, private social clubs and restaurant dine-in services will be allowed to reopen.
  • Bars, nightclubs, operators of amusement park rides and live performance venues will remain closed.
  • The Shelter in Place Order is still active and will expire on April 30 at 11:59 p.m.
  • Medically fragile and elderly Georgians should shelter in place at least through May 13.
  • For places of worship, holding in-person services is allowed, but under Phase One guidelines, it must be done accordance with strict social distance protocols.  
What Are Basic Minimum Operations?
The minimum basic operations (MBO) to maintain the value of a business, establishment, corporation, non-profit corporation, or organization, provide services, manage inventory, ensure security, process payroll and employee benefits, or for related functions can be found below.

Such considerations include:

• The minimum necessary activities to facilitate employees or volunteers being able to work remotely from their residences or members or patrons being able to participate remotely from their residences.

• Instances where employees are working outdoors without regular contact with other persons, such as delivery services, contractors, landscape businesses, and agricultural industry services.

• Such entities shall also implement measures which mitigate the exposure and spread of COVID19 among its workforce. Note that such minimum necessary activities include remaining open to the public subject to the restrictions of this order .

Minimum basic operations include the following: 

1. Screening and evaluating workers who exhibit signs of illness, such as a fever over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, cough, or shortness of breath.

2. Requiring workers who exhibit signs of illness to not report to work or to seek medical attention.

3. Enhancing sanitation of the workplace as appropriate.

4. Requiring hand washing or sanitation by workers at appropriate places within the business location.

5. Providing personal protective equipment (PPE) as available and appropriate to the function and location of the worker within the business location.

6. Prohibiting gatherings of workers during working hours.

7. Permitting workers to take breaks and meals outside, in their office or personal workspace, or in such other areas where proper social distancing is attainable.

8. Implementing teleworking for all possible workers.

9. Implementing staggered shifts for all possible workers.

10. Holding all meetings and conferences virtually, wherever possible.

11. Delivering intangible services remotely wherever possible.

12. Discouraging workers from using other workers' phones, desks, offices, or other work tools and equipment.

13. Prohibiting handshaking and another unnecessary person-to-person contact in the workplace.

14. Placing notices that encourage hand hygiene at the entrance to the workplace and in other workplace areas where they are likely to be seen.

15. Suspending the use of Personal Identification Number ("PIN") pads, PIN entry devices, electronic signature capture, and any other credit card receipt signature requirements to the extent such suspension is permitted by agreements with credit card companies and credit agencies.

16. Enforcing social distancing of non-cohabitating persons while present on such entity's leased or owned property.

17. For retailers and service providers, providing for alternative points of sale outside of buildings, including curbside pick-up or delivery of products and/ or services if an alternative point of sale is permitted under Georgia law.

18. Increasing physical space between workers and customers.

19. Providing disinfectant and sanitation products for workers to clean their workspace, equipment, and tools.

20. Increasing physical space between workers' worksites to at least six (6) feet.
County Facilities/Parks Reopening Schedule
COVID-19 County Operations: April 22, 2020

Cherokee County Administration Building will open to the general public on May 4, 2020.

Cherokee County Elections Office will open to the general public on May 4, 2020.

Senior Services:

  • The County is developing a plan to test homemaker staff, as well as developing appropriate safeguards and protocols prior to recommencing homemaker services.
  • Meals on Wheels volunteers will recommence delivering meals during the week of May 4th.
  • The Senior Center will remain closed until further notice.

Recycling Services:

The recycling center at Hobgood Park is currently open on a limited schedule for recycling only.

  • Tues and Thurs 9-5
  • Sat 8-4

The recycling center at Blalock Road remains open on their normal schedule.

Goodwill is currently NOT accepting donations at Hobgood Park.

Recreation Center, Aquatic Center and county parks :

  • County parks and recreation facilities including athletic fields, courts, and outdoor rinks will open on Friday, May 1st. Other facilities including open spaces, boat ramps and trails that are currently open will remain open provided users follow local, state and federal guidelines on Social Distancing and large gatherings.

  • Playgrounds, Pavilions and the Skate Park will remain closed at this time. Note: Because social distancing is not easily achieved, these areas are likely to encourage large groups to gather along with possible surface contamination, these areas remain closed until we enter “Phase II” under the White House guidelines.

  • All CRPA scheduled activities and programs are canceled through May 1st. Note: Staff are evaluating specific programs and activities to determine when they may resume under the White House guidelines. For example, under the White House guidelines, all organized youth activities should remain closed during Phase I.

  • CRPA facilities (Recreation Center, Aquatic Center, Union Hill Community Center) will open on Friday May 1st. Programs and activities will be subject to guidelines on social distancing and large gatherings.

Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit

The Courts of the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit and Cherokee County will continue to operate under the Judicial Emergency Order governing operation of the Courts of this State entered by Chief Justice Harold Melton of the Supreme Court of Georgia on March 14, 2020. The Courts will remain open to address essential functions as provided in the Judicial Emergency Order. Court proceedings will remain open to the public.

The following facilities will remain closed to the general public until further notice:

  • Cherokee County Tax Commissioner's Office, 2780 Marietta Hwy, Canton, GA 30114
  • Cherokee County Tax Commissioner’s Office, 155 Towne Lake Pkwy, Woodstock, GA 30188
  • Cherokee County Tax Assessor's Office, 2780 Marietta Hwy, Canton, GA 30114
  • Cherokee County Conference Center, 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton, GA 30114
  • Public Safety Complex, 150 Chattin Drive, Canton, GA 30114
  • Cherokee County Fire Stations
PROTECT YOUR HEALTH
Social distancing, including avoiding close contact with others, is one way to protect yourself from infectious diseases. In addition, you can reduce your risk in other ways:
 
  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
  • Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available
  •  People who are sick should always cover their coughs and sneezes using a tissue or the crook of their elbow; wash your hands after using a tissue to wipe your nose or mouth
  • People who are sick should stay home from work or school until they are well
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with your unwashed hands

For more information, please visit our COVID-19 webpage and follow us on social media using the hashtag #CherokeeCOVID19.