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MILTON, Ga.
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The following is a message from Mayor Joe Lockwood about what "Shelter in Place" means in Milton and for its residents:
"Today, Milton - and all of Georgia - is subject to a 'shelter in place' order signed by Gov. Kemp. Starting at 6 p.m., rather than a variety of policies varying by City and County, the entire state will be under the same set of rules. You can read below for more details, and links, explaining the State's Order. We will also work to provide information, and answer questions, on the City's website dedicated to this pandemic -
https://www.cityofmiltonga.us/coronavirus/.
"The Order affirms, and makes State law, what we have been emphasizing the vital importance of 'social distancing' and other measures to mitigate COVID-19's spread. Our collective action and compliance with the Governor's Order can directly and positively lessen this virus' spread, reduce the burden on our hospitals, and diminish the severity of its long-term economic, social, and personal impact. We need everyone to comply.
"The good news is that Milton residents understand this. Our actions speak for themselves. We have not been congregating. We have been respecting the recommended 6-foot buffer with those outside our households. Businesses that need to have closed their doors, while thinking of new ways - like restaurants' to-go and delivery services - to do business.
"We very much understand this is an unprecedented and confusing time. While the City of Milton didn't issue and isn't the final arbiter on the State's order, we do want to serve and inform our residents as best we can. That's why we are creating a special webpage now - to be linked off the City's website - to answer common questions about this 'shelter in place' order as well as other measures related to this coronavirus.
If you have any questions about the order, please email the City of Milton at
[email protected]
. We'll respond to your email as well as update our 'Questions and Answers' page as needed.
This is in addition to the list of 'resources' for those in need that we are collecting and sharing, as well as regular updates on the City's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.
"Even with City Hall closed to the public, the City's government is open. The 'shelter in place' order does not change that. Our police officers, firefighters, and City staff continue to work for you. Still, every resident is a critical part of this effort, too. We need everyone to do their part to 'flatten the curve.' Together, we will get through this."
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Here is more information on the State order, which goes into effect today:
Gov. Brian Kemp has signed an Executive Order implementing a statewide "shelter in place" mandate - with some exceptions - that supersedes relevant county and city ordinances.
The Order --
which can be viewed here
- takes effect at 6 p.m. Friday and extends through the end of April 13. It may be extended.
"All residents and visitors of the State of Georgia are required to shelter in place within their homes or places of residence," the Order states. The exceptions are when:
- "Conducting or participating in Essential Services"
This includes getting food, medicine, supplies to work from home, "and essential maintenance of the home or residence." Activities "essential" for household members' health and safety are allowed.
So is "engaging in outdoor exercise activities so long as a minimum distance of six feet is maintained ... between all persons who are not occupants of the same household or residence." In other words, people can go outside for walks or runs, so long as they maintain social distancing.
- "Performing Necessary Travel"
- "Engage [in] Minimum Basic Operations for a business, establishment, corporation, non-profit ... or organization not classified as Critical Infrastructure"
Certain non-critical businesses can be open if they abide by social distancing, sanitation, and other mitigation requirements. The Order allows for work in which "employees are working outdoors without regular contact with other persons, such as delivery services, contractors, landscape businesses, and agricultural industry services."
- Working involved in the 16 sectors that the U.S. government deems "Critical Infrastructure"
Gov. Kemp's Order prohibits dine-in service at restaurants statewide, with to-go and delivery permitted. It also mandates the closure of gyms, theaters, concert halls, bars, hair salons, and certain other types of establishments.
In addition to traveling for permitted work or "essential" activities, a person can visit someone else if it's to provide health-related supplies, "support [a] person to conduct activities of daily living" and "providing necessary supplies and services" like delivering food.
The Order gives the State of Georgia the authority to "mandate the closure of any business, establishment, corporation, non-profit corporation, or organization not in compliance."
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