Georgia COVID-19 Response Updates

May 25, 2021

Governor Kemp issued an executive order prohibiting state agencies, providers of state services, and state properties from implementing a Vaccine Passport Program or requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination as a condition to enter premises or conduct business. The order further prohibits any requirement to show proof of vaccination to enter the State of Georgia, and it provides that no state or agency employee shall be afforded different employment-related privileges based solely on COVID-19 vaccination status. The order prohibits data from the Georgia Registry of Immunization and Transactions and Services from being used or shared for creating or facilitating a Vaccine Passport Program, or for determining COVID-19 vaccination status for the purpose of allowing or prohibiting access to services, property, employment or other rights or privileges. To view the order, click here.

May 8, 2021

The Supreme Court of Georgia issued a fourteenth order extending the judicial emergency through June 7, 2021. To view the order, click here.

April 23, 2021

Governor Kemp issued an executive order extending the state of emergency related to the coronavirus through May 30, 2021. To view the order, click here.

April 8, 2021

The Supreme Court of Georgia issued a thirteenth order extending the judicial emergency through May 8, 2021. The order permits courts to conduct jury trials as local conditions allow. To view the order, click here.

March 31, 2021

Governor Kemp issued three executive orders related to the coronavirus pandemic providing as follows:

• The state of emergency related to the coronavirus is extended through April 30, 2021. Click here to view the order.
• State employees, not including temporary employees, may use up to eight hours of emergency office closure leave to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Those that experience negative side effects from a vaccination that prohibit them from being able to perform their job duties may use up to sixteen hours of emergency office closure leave. Click here to view the order.
• Existing restrictions are extended through April 30, 2021. To view the order, click here.

March 12, 2021

Governor Kemp issued an executive order extending restrictions through March 31, 2021.  To view the order, click here.

March 9, 2021

The Supreme Court of Georgia issued a twelfth order extending the judicial emergency through April 8, 2021. The order permits courts to resume jury trials as local conditions allow. To view the order, click here.

February 26, 2021

Governor Kemp issued an executive order extending the state of emergency related to the coronavirus through April 6, 2021.  In a separate order, he extended existing restrictions through March 5, 2021.  To view the orders, click here and here.

February 15, 2021

Governor Kemp issued an executive order extending existing coronavirus restrictions through February 28, 2021. To view the order, click here.

February 7, 2021

The Georgia Supreme Court issued an eleventh order extending the judicial emergency through March 9, 2021.  The order continues the prohibition of jury trials not already in progress, although the Court noted that if the conditions continue to improve it is anticipated that the next extension order on March 9^th will authorize superior and state courts to resume jury trials.  To view the order, click here.

January 29, 2021

Governor Kemp issued an executive order extending the state of emergency related to the coronavirus through March 7, 2021.  In a separate order, he extended existing restrictions through February 15, 2021.  To view the orders, click here and here.

January 22, 2021

Governor Kemp issued an executive order providing provisions to expand the professionals able to administer COVID-19 vaccines. To view the order, click here.

January 15, 2021

Governor Kemp issued an executive order extending existing coronavirus restrictions through January 31, 2021.  To view the order, click here.

January 8, 2021

The Georgia Supreme Court issued a tenth order extending the judicial emergency through February 7, 2021.  The order continues the prohibition of jury trials not already in progress. To view the order, click here.

December 30, 2020

Governor Kemp issued an executive order extending the state of emergency related to the coronavirus through February 7, 2021.  In a separate executive order, he extended existing restrictions through January 15, 2021.  To view the new orders, click here and here.

December 23, 2020

The Supreme Court of Georgia issued an order suspending all in-person jury trial proceedings not already in progress through at least February 2021. To view the order, click here.

December 18, 2020

City of Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms reissued several Executive Orders related to the coronavirus pandemic.  In particular, the orders reissued a moratorium on residential evictions in sponsored and funded housing units and developments through March 31, 2021, and extended a directive to the Commissioner of Watershed Management to refrain from taking action to terminate water services for non-payment through January 31, 2021. Another order provides that the Hazard Pay Policy will remain in effect beginning January 1, 2021, and will continue on a month-to-month basis until an approved vaccine is readily available to front-line City of Atlanta employees, and/or the City has resumed operation through the return of non-mission critical employees to the physical workplace. An additional order extends the directive that the City will refrain from imposing penalties on unpaid taxes following the April 2020 deadline through January 31, 2021. To learn more, click here.

December 9, 2020

The Supreme Court of Georgia issued its ninth order extending the statewide judicial emergency through January 8, 2021.  To view the order, click here.

December 8, 2020

Governor Kemp issued an executive order extending the current restrictions through December 31, 2020. To view the order, click here.

December 1, 2020

City of Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance-Bottoms announced the expansion of the COVID-19 Housing Emergency Assistance Program.  In addition to assistance with rent, utilities, and security deposits, the City of Atlanta will now provide mortgage relief of up to $5,000 to eligible residents who were financially impacted by COVID-19. To learn more, click here.

November 30, 2020

Governor Kemp issued two executive orders related to the coronavirus pandemic.  He extended the public health state of emergency through January 8, 2021.  He also extended current restrictions through December 15, 2020 and ordered that nurses and pharmacists may administer the pending COVID-19 vaccine, including in a drive-thru setting. To view the new orders, click here and here.

November 20, 2020

Governor Kemp issued an executive order to support the coronavirus response and vaccination distribution. The order suspends any laws or regulations prohibiting the release of individually identifiable vaccination information to the extent they prevent disclosure of COVID-19 vaccination records to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. To view the order, click here.

November 13, 2020

Governor Kemp issued two executive orders related to the coronavirus pandemic.  He extended the public health state of emergency through December 14, 2020, and he also extended current restrictions with minimal changes through November 30, 2020. To view the new orders, click here and here.

November 10, 2020

The City of Atlanta Department of City Planning instituted online permitting operations and added new inspection types due to the City’s stay-at-home order. The City cited an increase in illegal construction activity and violations during the pandemic.  It noted that Stop Work Orders will be issued for illegal and unpermitted use of a property, unpermitted property construction, and construction activity beyond the scope of a permit.  To learn more, click here.

November 9, 2020

The Supreme Court of Georgia entered its eighth order extending the statewide judicial emergency through December 9, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.  Except for a few minor revisions, the provisions of the order are identical to the prior order extending the judicial emergency.  To view the order, click here.

October 30, 2020

Governor Kemp issued two executive orders related to the coronavirus pandemic. He extended the public health state of emergency and current restrictions with minimal changes through December 9, 2020. To view the new orders, click here and here.

City of Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance-Bottoms also reissued various Administrative and Executive Orders to assist Atlanta residents and businesses during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic for an additional sixty days through December 31, 2020. The orders extend: directions to the Department of Watershed Management (DWM) to refrain from taking any action which would result in the termination of water services to any DWM customer due to non-payment; directions to the Chief Financial Officer to refrain from taking any action to issue citations or penalties against any individual or business entity for delinquency on certain unpaid tax following the April 1, 2020 deadline; and a 60-day moratorium on residential evictions for properties subsidized by governmental and quasi-governmental agencies. To learn more, click here.

October 10, 2020

The Supreme Court of Georgia issued a seventh order extending the statewide judicial emergency through November 9, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.  The order also ends the blanket suspension or jury trials and allows the Chief Judge of each trial court to resume the jury trial process if local conditions allow and if the Chief Judge, in collaboration with the local committee, has developed and issued a final jury trial plan.  The order further provides that statutory deadlines based on indictments and jury trials will remain suspended and tolled.  To view the order, click here.

September 30, 2020

Governor Kemp issued two executive orders related to the coronavirus pandemic.  He extended the public health state of emergency through November 9, 2020 and extended current restrictions through October 15^th at 11:59 p.m.  The new orders relax certain rules for restaurants and bar employees who have had or are suspected of having COVID-19 by allowing them to return to work 24 hours after they are confirmed to be symptom-free. To view the new orders, click here and here.

September 21, 2020

City of Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced a $7.7M partnership with the Fulton County Board of Health to expand COVID-19 testing, hire more than 150 contract tracing staff, and map trends and racial disparities. The partnership will also improve access to resources for those in quarantine, expand communications to promote testing, and identify impacts on communities disproportionately affected by the coronavirus pandemic. To learn more, click here.

September 15, 2020

Governor Kemp issued an executive order effective through September 30, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. that renews various provisions of prior orders.  The order extends: limitations on gatherings of more than 50 people unless social distancing can be maintained;  the shelter-in-place requirement for those living in long-term care facilities and the medically fragile; and restrictions for restaurants, bars, and other businesses.  The order also includes a new three-phase system for in-person visits with residents of long-term care facilities based on coronavirus testing, the amount of time without new cases, and other factors. To view the order, click here.

September 11, 2020

City of Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced the transition back to Phase II of the City’s Five Phase Reopening Plan, effective immediately.  During Phase II, the City recommends that people and business follow various guidelines, including gatherings of no more than 10 people with appropriate social distancing, to-go and curbside pickups from restaurants and retail, and continued teleworking wherever possible.  Under Phase II, non-essential City facilities will remain closed, and the City will maintain a continued moratorium on special event applications. The guidelines are in addition to the City’s face-covering mandate. To learn more, click here.

September 10, 2020

The Supreme Court of Georgia issued a sixth order extending the statewide judicial emergency through October 10, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. Under the order, the chief judge of each superior court is authorized to resume grand jury proceedings in-person or remotely “if they can be done so safely and in compliance with public health guidance based on local conditions.”  Jury trials remain suspended.  To view the order, click here.

Governor Kemp issued an executive order suspending any requirements that prohibit the remote administration of oaths for grand jury purposes or the remote attendance of grand jurors and prospective grand jurors. To view the order, click here.

September 2, 2020

The Fulton County Board of Commissioners approved an extra $14.5M in funding for elections.  The funding comes from several sources, including $5M from CARES Act relief funds.  The funding will pay for several items, including more polling staff and postage for the anticipated increase in mail-in ballots. To learn more, click here.

August 31, 2020

Governor Kemp issued an executive order renewing the state of emergency related to the coronavirus for 30 days through October 10, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. To view the order, click here.

Governor Kemp also issued a separate executive order effective through September 15, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. continuing existing restrictions, including the ban on gatherings of more than 50 people unless social distancing can be maintained. The order also requires “medically fragile” persons and residents of long-term care facilities to shelter in place. The order renews the rules allowing local governments and school districts to impose mask requirements. To view the order, click here.

August 28, 2020

To comply with COVID-19-related social distancing practices, the Georgia Department of Driver Services has revised its driver’s test procedure, which will now take place on designed road courses rather than public roads.  Under the updated procedures, the examiners do not have to ride in cars with applicants and will instead observe the applicants and grade their performance from outside the vehicle. To learn more, click here.

City of Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms extended prior COVID-19-related executive and administrative orders for 60 days through October 31, 2020. The orders preclude: towing or immobilization of vehicles in restricted areas of the City’s right of way, termination of Department of Watershed Management customer water services for non-payment, and the issuance of citations or penalties to individuals or businesses for certain unpaid taxes. The orders also reissued a moratorium on residential evictions for properties subsidized by governmental and quasi-governmental agencies. To learn more and view the orders, click here.

Mayor Bottoms also issued executive and administrative orders to expand access to the polls in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The executive order allows City of Atlanta employees to take up to four hours off of work (an increase from two hours) to vote in the November 3, 2020, election and General Election Runoff on January 5, 2021. The administrative order:

• Directs the City’s Chief Operating Officer to work with the Fulton and DeKalb Boards of Registration and Elections to identify how the City may assist the Boards through the possible provision of City facilities;
• Directs the Chief of Staff to work with the Atlanta Postmaster regarding changes that may impact mail delivery services for Atlanta residents between now and the General Election; and
• Directs the Chief Operating Officer, Chief Information Officer, and Executive Director of Customer Service to update the Atlanta 311 mobile application to provide the public with all necessary voting information.

To learn more, click here.

August 26, 2020

The Cobb County Board of Commissioners approved $2M in grants for not-for-profit organizations from CARES Act funding it received earlier in the year. The program will provide eligible not-for-profits financially impacted by the coronavirus with grants ranging from $2,500 to $25,000 based on the number of full-time workers. The application opens on August 27, 2020 and closes on September 11^th.  To learn more, click here.

August 20, 2020

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced the allocation of $22M from the Coronavirus Relief Fund to the Atlanta COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program.  This program will be administered by the United Way and will provide up to $3,000 of assistance to eligible City of Atlanta residential renters who have experienced a loss of income due to COVID-19.  To learn more, click here.

August 19, 2020

City of Roswell Mayor Lori Henry issued an executive order requiring face masks to be worn inside city buildings effective immediately. The City of Roswell joins Clayton County and the cities of Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, and Smyrna, all of which announced face mask requirements this week. To learn more, click here.

August 15, 2020

Governor Kemp issued an executive order extending existing coronavirus restrictions, including the shelter-in-place order for those considered to be “medically fragile,” through August 31, 2020, at 11:59 p.m.  The order encourages face coverings and includes a provision allowing local governments to impose their own face-covering restrictions under a “Local Option Face Covering Requirement.”  The Local Option permits local governments to order face coverings on government-owned property and in areas that meet a “threshold requirement,” local governments may also order broader mask mandates under certain conditions, although the restrictions are enforceable on private property only if the owner or occupant consents. The “threshold requirement” is met if COVID-19 cases over the previous 14 days were equal to or greater than 100 cases per 100,000 people, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health. In addition, fines cannot be imposed against private businesses or nonprofits. To view the order, click here.

August 13, 2020 

Governor Kemp withdrew his lawsuit against City of Atlanta Mayor Keisha Bottoms and the Atlanta City Council over the City’s local coronavirus restrictions.  The lawsuit was dismissed following mediation.  In a press release, Governor Kemp stated that he will be issuing a new Executive Order to address issues not resolved in mediation. To view the press release, click here.

August 11, 2020

The Supreme Court of Georgia issued a fifth order extending the statewide judicial emergency through September 10, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. The order includes a continued prohibition on jury trial proceedings and most grand jury proceedings. Deadlines for jury trial and grand jury proceedings, and deadlines calculated by reference to the date of a civil or criminal jury trial or grand jury proceedings, remain suspended and tolled. To view the order, click here.

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners approved a $15M loan program, funded through CARES Act relief received earlier this year, for local small businesses impacted by the coronavirus. Citizens Trust Bank will administer $10M of the program, and another institution that has not yet been identified will administer the remainder. Loans of up to $40,000 will be available to eligible businesses with annual revenues of less than $1M and 20 or fewer employees.  Businesses that did not receive Paycheck Protection Program funds will be given priority.  Loans are eligible for forgiveness after three months if businesses follow spending parameters and maintain employees or prove a good-faith effort to do so. The application period runs from August 27^th to September 7^th.  To learn more, click here.

City of Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms issued an administrative order directing the City’s Chief Health Officer to do the following:

• Develop and publicize a report on COVID-19 racial and ethnic disparities in the City of Atlanta;
• Convene an advisory council of community partners to outline recommendations to address the COVID-19 racial and ethnic disparities identified in the report;
• Establish a COVID-19 mask campaign to promote awareness about COVID-19 disparities among the most vulnerable populations; and
• Schedule and plan a series of virtual town hall discussions concerning the effects of COVID-19.

To view the order, click here.

August 5, 2020

Governor Kemp signed the Georgia COVID-19 Pandemic Business Safety Act, O.C.G.A. §§ 51-16-1 et. seq., into law on August 5^th.  The Act provides that health care providers and businesses cannot be held liable for injuries or death related to coronavirus treatment, exposure, or infection absent gross negligence, willful and wanton misconduct, reckless infliction of harm, or intentional infliction of harm.  Under the Act, if a business owner posts a warning sign outside the premises disclaiming liability for injury or death related to COVID-19, and providing that those who enter assume the risks of contracting the virus, the plaintiff must overcome a rebuttable presumption that he or she assumed the risk of entering the premises. A rebuttable presumption of assumption of risk is also created if any receipt or proof of purchase for entry, such as electric or paper tickets or wristbands, includes the liability disclaimer language provided in the new statute. S.B. 359 was approved by the Georgia Legislature on June 26, 2020.  The law is effective immediately until July 14, 2021.

August 3, 2020

The Atlanta Public School Board voted to postpone the first day of class for the 2020-2021 school year two weeks until August 24^th.  The Board also approved a dress-code change allowing the district to require students to wear masks in school buildings.  To learn more, click here.

July 31, 2020

Governor Kemp signed an executive order extending the public health emergency through September 10, 2020, and a separate executive order extending certain restrictions that were previously in place.  In addition to other provisions, the Governor’s order requires social distancing in certain circumstances, bans gatherings of more than 50 people unless six feet of social distancing can be maintained, and extends the shelter-in-place order for “medically fragile” persons and those living in long-term care facilities. To view the orders, click here and here.

July 29, 2020

City of Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced the Resurgence Grant Fund, which will provide eligible small businesses up to $40,000 in reimbursement for business interruption costs incurred as a result of required closures. Businesses can also apply for up to $10,000 of no-cost technical assistance services, including legal resources and workforce development, to help their businesses adapt to a more socially-distanced environment.  Applications will be open from August 10^th– August 31^st.  To learn more, click here.

July 28, 2020

Governor Kemp’s attorneys withdrew a request for an emergency court hearing scheduled on July 28^th in the lawsuit against Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and the Atlanta City Council.  The lawsuit seeks to declare Atlanta’s face covering requirement unenforceable.  To learn more, click here.

July 27, 2020

Macon Mayor Robert Reichert vetoed an emergency ordinance requiring face coverings in public settings, which the Macon City Commission had previously approved.  As a basis for the veto, Mayor Reichert stated that Governor Kemp’s executive order sets forth statewide requirements and prohibits local orders. To learn more, click here.

July 21, 2020

The DeKalb County Commission revised the previously approved ordinance requiring face coverings.  The original ordinance had not been signed into law by DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond prior to Governor Kemp’s new executive order explicitly banning local governments from requiring face coverings.  The revised DeKalb County ordinance recognizes the governor’s authority while asserting powers afforded local governments under the Home Rule Act of the Georgia Constitution.  The revised ordinance also adds an exemption for “conscientious objectors.”  To learn more, click here.

July 20, 2020

Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse, and Spelman colleges announced they will conduct fall classes online due to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in Fulton County and other states where most of their students live. All three schools will offer discounts on tuition and mandatory fees.  Morehouse has advised that one campus facility will be open for international students and others in need of housing. To learn more, click here.

Gwinnett County Public Schools announced that it will begin the school year on August 12^th with online classes. To learn more, click here.

July 16, 2020

Governor Kemp, by and through Christopher Carr, Attorney General of Georgia, filed suit in the Superior Court of Fulton County seeking declaratory and injunctive relief against City of Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and members of the Atlanta City Council. Paragraph 40 of the Complaint states:

Governor Kemp seeks to have the Superior Court of Fulton County declare that Mayor Bottoms exceeded her authority by issuing executive orders which were more restrictive than his Executive Orders related to the Public Health Emergency, declare that Mayor Bottoms’ executive orders are suspended, enjoin Mayor Bottoms from issuing any additional executive orders with more or less restrictive mandates than Governor Kemp has ordered or may order under the Public Health Emergency, enjoin the City Council of Atlanta from ratifying Mayor Bottoms’ COVID-related executive orders which are more or less restrictive than Governor Kemp’s executive orders, enjoin Mayor Bottoms and the City Council of Atlanta from enforcement of Mayor Bottoms COVID-related executive orders, and enjoin the City Council of Atlanta from enacting any ordinances that are inconsistent with any COVID-related executive order issued by Governor Kemp pursuant to the Public Health Emergency.

To view the Complaint, click here.

Fulton County Schools and Cobb County Schools announced that they will begin the 2020-2021 school year this fall entirely online. To learn more, click here.

July 15, 2020

Governor Kemp issued an executive order effective July 16, 2020 at 12:00 a.m. through July 31, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. extending existing restrictions, including the shelter-in-place requirement for “medically fragile” persons and those living in a nursing homes or long-term care facilities. Section VIII of the order includes a provision stating that “any state, county, or municipal law, order, ordinance, rule, or regulation that requires person to wear face coverings, masks, face shields, or any other Personal Protective Equipment while in places of public accommodation or on public property are suspended to the extent that they are more restriction than this Executive Order.”  Section I of the order states “all residents and visitors of the State of Georgia are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings as practicable outside their homes or place of residence, except when eating, drinking, or exercising outdoors.”  To view the order, click here.  To learn more, click here.

July 14, 2020

Georgia has contracted with Piedmont Healthcare for at least 62 beds at the hospital’s main building in Buckhead, and potentially 40 or more in the new Marcus Tower. This announcement follows Governor’s Kemp’s July 10^th announcement that the temporary hospital opened in April at the Georgia World Congress Center and later shuttered would soon be reactivated as COVID-19 cases increase in Georgia. To learn more, click here.

City of Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced the One Atlanta: Economic Mobility, Recovery and Resiliency Plan. One Atlanta is an initiative in partnership with Invest Atlanta and WorkSource Atlanta that began more than a year ago, but the coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the need for assistance in the Atlanta community. The plan has five main objectives – creation of good jobs, access to good jobs, expanding small business programs, neighborhood investment in disinvested neighborhoods, and affordable housing. To learn more, click here.

Atlanta Public Schools extended the start date of the school year to August 24, 2020, and will require virtual learning for at least the first nine weeks. The school district is offering students two options, one of which is to enroll in the Atlanta Virtual Academy (“Ava”), where they will receive instruction from Ava teachers. The second option is virtual learning from their home school, where they may go back to in-person learning when appropriate. To learn more, click here.

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners adopted an ordinance requiring persons over eight years old to wear face coverings in public. The ordinance includes various exceptions, including for people with certain medical conditions, and for outdoor exercise if proper social distancing is observed. DeKalb County joins several other municipalities throughout the state that have required face coverings in public. To learn more, click here.

July 13, 2020

The Georgia Department of Education issued revisions to its guidance for reopening schools.  The new guidance strongly recommends, but does not mandate, masks or face coverings.  It also adds a Georgia Department of Public Health requirement that school districts keep a log of COVID-19-related absences among students and staff.  To learn more, click here.  To view the guidance, click here.

July 10, 2020

City of Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms ordered that Atlanta be moved back into phase 1 of the reopening plan based upon the increase in COVID-19 cases and data trends. For individuals, phase 1 requires that they stay home except for essential trips. Businesses must use to-go and curbside pickups, implement teleworking, and conduct frequent cleaning.  Non-essential City facilities will remain closed, and there is a moratorium on special event applications.  To learn more, click here.

The Georgia Supreme Court extended the judicial emergency in response to the coronavirus pandemic through August 11, 2020, at 11:50 p.m. Of note, the order continues the suspension of jury trials.  It also reimposes all deadlines and filing requirements that were suspended, tolled, extended, or otherwise relieved by the March 14, 2020, order initially declaring a judicial emergency. To view the order, click here.

July 8, 2020

City of Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms issued an executive order requiring persons 10 and older to wear a face covering within the City of Atlanta and Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport whenever they are inside a building or outdoor space open to the public where it is not feasible to maintain appropriate social distancing.  The order also prohibits businesses or organizations from allowing gatherings of more than 50 persons if six feet of social distancing cannot be maintained, and gatherings of more than 10 persons on City of Atlanta property.  The order contains various exceptions, including for persons with medical conditions or disabilities that prevent them from wearing a face covering, and for persons obtaining a service that requires temporary removal of the face covering. To view the order, click here. To learn more, click here.

July 7, 2020

The Athens-Clarke County Commission and Mayor Kelly Girtz approved an ordinance requiring persons 11 or older to wear masks or face coverings inside public places. The order is effective as of8:00 a.m. on July 8^th and continues through 11:59 p.m. on August 4, 2020.  The ordinance does not apply to religious establishments, although the use of face coverings is highly recommended.  The order contains exceptions for outdoor physical activity with proper social distancing, or for when wearing a mask causes or aggravates a health condition.  To view the ordinance, click here.

City of Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms reissued an executive order extending the moratorium on residential evictions and filings through August 31, 2020.  To learn more, click here.

July 6, 2020

The University System of Georgia announced that it will require students and faculty to wear face coverings on campus if social distancing cannot be maintained. The revised policy takes effect on July 15^th.  To learn more, click here.

July 1, 2020

Henry County Courts suspended all proceedings except those in the Probate Court through July 10^th, unless the proceedings can be conducted by videoconference or teleconference. The suspension is the result of several positive cases reported in the Superior, State, and Magistrate Court offices. To learn more, click here.

Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College announced plans for the fall 2020 semester that include requiring COVID-19 testing for students returning to campus. The plans will also require temperature checks, app-based daily symptom screenings, mandatory face coverings in larger groups, and limits on the number of students who may live on campus.  The schools will be ending in-class instruction by Thanksgiving. To learn more, click here.

June 30, 2020

City of Savannah Mayor Van Johnson issued an emergency order requiring persons over the age of 10 to wear face coverings in commercial establishments within the city beginning at 8:00 a.m. on July 1^st. The order also requires restaurants, retail stores, salons, grocery stores, and pharmacies to require employees to wear face coverings while having face-to-face interaction with the public.  The order does not apply to religious establishments, but face coverings are highly recommended.  There are various exceptions included in the order, including for outdoor physical activity with proper social distancing, or when wearing the face covering causes or aggravates a medical condition.  To learn more and view the order, click here.

June 29, 2020

Governor Kemp issued an order extending the state’s public health emergency through August 11, 2020.  The order also extended restrictions for businesses and restaurants, and the shelter-in-place requirement for medically fragile persons and residents of long-term care facilities, through July 15^th.  The order also requires the state Board of Education to prepare rules for local officials planning to reopen public schools. Governor Kemp is traveling across the state in advance of the Fourth of July weekend to encourage the wearing of face coverings, although he has stated he does not plan to order citizens to do so. To view the order, click here. To learn more, click here.

June 26, 2020

Approximately $44 million in federal CARES Act funds provided to the City of Atlanta have been allocated to assist small businesses and renters impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The funding will be divided equally between small business and renters. Terri Lee, Atlanta’s Chief Housing officer, has advised that 10,000 to 20,000 families may need assistance covering their rent, but the $22M in assistance to renters will only cover an estimated 6,700 households.  Eligible small businesses may apply for grants up to $40,000, as well as up to $10,000 of technical assistance. To learn more, click here.

June 24, 2020

The State of Georgia is relocating 80 hospital beds from the overflow site at the Georgia World Congress Center to set up a temporary hospital for COVID-19 patients in Milledgeville, Georgia.  The new hospital will be located inside the former Youth Challenge Academy and will take overflow patients with mild to moderate symptoms who do not need ventilators or critical care.  To learn more, click here.

June 19, 2020

Applications are open from June 19, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. to July 3, 2020, at 9:00 p.m. for the creATL Relief Fund. Atlanta residents who work in creative industries, including film, television, media, music, eSports, and digital entertainment, and who are able to show economic loss as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, may be eligible to receive $1,000 to cover food, housing, utilities, medical expenses, and transportation costs. Eligibility requirements and application information are available here on Invest Atlanta’s website.

June 17, 2020

The Georgia Department of Public Health is partnering with Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health to address the coronavirus pandemic. The Emory COVID-19 Response Collaborative (ECRC) will support the Georgia Department of Public Health with planning coordination, outbreak response, training and placement of public health professionals, and research and monitoring. As part of the partnership, Emory will assist in investigating outbreaks across the state in facilities such as nursing homes and poultry plants. To learn more, click here.

June 15, 2020

City of Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms issued an executive order providing a process for City of Atlanta boards, authorities, commissions, committees and other similar bodies subject to Section 3-401 of the City’s Charter to conduct remote meetings in light of the coronavirus pandemic.  To view the order, click here.

June 12, 2020

The Georgia Supreme Court extended the judicial emergency for the third time through July 12, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.  The extension order includes a plan to reimpose, as of July 14, 2020,  many of the deadlines for civil and criminal cases that have been suspended.  The suspension of jury trials remains in effect, and all courts are prohibited from summoning new trial and grand jurors.  All courts are encouraged to use technology to conduct remote proceedings as a safer alternative to in-person proceedings.  To view the order, click here.

June 11, 2020

Governor Kemp issued a new executive order, which is effective from June 16, 2020 at 12:00 a.m. to June 30, 2020 at 11:59 p.m., that further loosens pandemic-related restrictions.  The order is extensive and sets forth detailed guidelines and restrictions for several different activities and industries.  For example, gatherings of more than 50 people are prohibited unless participants can maintain six feet of social distancing. Capacity limits on restaurants and movie theatres are removed, and buffet service is permitted with cafeteria-style service and the use of sneeze guards. The greater of 50 people or 35 percent of the capacity will be allowed in bars. The order extends shelter-in-place requirements for medically fragile persons, but those over 65 without underlying conditions are no longer required to shelter in place.  Beginning July 1^st and subject to the conditions of the order, live entertainment venues may also operate, and conventions may take place.  To view the order and its additional provisions in more detail, click here.

June 9, 2020

The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners has approved an amendment to its community development block grant action plan to accept over $700,000 in CARES Act funds. $300,000 will be distributed to various community organizations and businesses, $330,000 to the Cherokee County Office of Economic Development for small business relief efforts, nearly $70,000 to the Cherokee County Emergency Management Agency for public service signs, and over $13,000 to Cherokee County for administering its COVID-19 response.  To learn more, click here.

June 1, 2020

City of Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms issued an executive order extending hazard pay for frontline city employees through September 30, 2020. The order provides an additional $500 per month to nearly 5,400 employees.  To learn more, click here.

Georgia school leaders have released “Georgia’s Path to Recovery for K-12 Schools,” a comprehensive set of statewide guidelines for reopening public schools for the 2020-21 school year.  The 10-page document includes a tree of “best practices,” which consists of three separate tiers of recommendations that are keyed to the level of community spread determined by state and local health officials.  The recommendations range from continued distance/remote learning for “substantial spread communities,” to traditional in-person schooling for “low or no spread communities.”  The guidelines also recommend several preventative measures and practices for all schools, including those holding in-person school days in low spread communities.  The guidelines are not mandated or state required, and local school districts retain the authority to meet their own individual needs.  To learn more and view the guidance, click here.

May 29, 2020

City of Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced that the ATLStrong Fund will invest more than $250,000, which will be disbursed by the United Way of Greater Atlanta, in local nonprofit organizations that provide emergency rental assistance to city residents.  To qualify for relief, households must earn 60% or less of Area Median Income (AMI) within the City of Atlanta. To learn more, click here.

May 28, 2020

Governor Kemp issued an order renewing the public health state of emergency through July 12, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. To view the order, click here.

Governor Kemp issued a separate order expanding the businesses and activities that are allowed to resume operation. The order provides the following:

• Gatherings of more than 25 people in a single location are permitted, provided all persons maintain at least six feet of social distancing;
• Bars and nightclubs may reopen beginning June 1^st, provided they comply with 39 sanitation and social-distancing rules set forth in the order;
• Professional sports may commence on June 1^st, subject to the rules or guidelines that apply to their respective leagues. Amateur sports may also commence on June 1^st and must comply with the guidelines for “Non-Critical Infrastructure organizations” listed in the order;
• Amusement rides, traveling carnivals, water parks, circuses, and other temporary amusement rides can begin operations on June 12^th, subject to 33 additional sanitation and social-distancing requirements set forth in the order;
• The shelter-in-place order those 65 and older or “medically fragile” is extended through June 12, 2020.

To view the order, click here.

May 27, 2020

City of Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced that Atlanta is moving into Phase 2 of its five-phased reopening plan. Phase 2 involves the following guidelines:

• Individuals: Stay home except for essential trips and gatherings of no more than 10 people observing proper social-distancing measures;
• Businesses/Non-Profits: Operate with to-go services and curbside pickups, continued teleworking, and frequent cleaning; and
• City Government: Non-essential City facilities remain closed, and the moratorium on special event applications continues.

In order to move to Phase 3, the City must continue to meet previous public-health metrics, have the capacity to conduct 90 diagnostic tests for every 1,000 residents per month, and have 15 contact tracers per 100,000 residents. To view the guidelines, click here.

The DeKalb County Commission approved a plan to provide at least $1 million in federal coronavirus relief funds to organizations that provide residents with rent, utility, and food assistance. While specifics are still being finalized, the plan is to solicit grant applications from community-based organizations with relevant experience providing the type of relief needed. To learn more, click here.

May 21, 2020

Governor Kemp issued an executive order allowing overnight summer camps to begin hosting campers on May 31, 2020.  The order contains various requirements for anyone that is working or staying at the camp, including a requirement that campers and workers be tested for COVID-19 prior to beginning an overnight camp and must have received a negative test result within seven days prior to beginning the camp.  To view the order, click here.

May 19, 2020 

City of Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms re-issued three orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic, all of which are effective through June 30, 2020. Order 2020-12 prohibits the Department of Watershed Management from terminating water service due to non-payment.  Order 2020-13 prohibits parking enforcement officers from towing or immobilizing vehicles in restricted areas in the City’s right of way.  Order 2020-14 prohibits the Atlanta Police Department from enforcing prohibitions against the sale of unopened wine and/or malt beverages for off premises consumption by restaurants and other eating and drinking establishments. To learn more and view the orders, click here.

May 18, 2020

City of Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms issued an order to add over $88 million that the City of Atlanta was awarded pursuant to the CARES Act to the FY20 Budget.  The money will be used to cover COVID-19 expenditures that were incurred between March 1, 2020, and December 30, 2020, and that were not already accounted for in the budget approved as of March 27, 2020. To view the order, click here.

May 13, 2020

In response to Governor’s Kemp’s May 12, 2020, order relaxing COVID-19-related restrictions, the Georgia Department of Public Health issued guidance for public swimming pools. The seven-page guidelines address facility mitigation measures and preparations for sick staff members or patrons. The guidelines also indicate that the May 12 order’s statewide mitigation measures for non-critical infrastructure apply. To view the guidelines, click here. To learn more, click here.

May 12, 2020

Governor Kemp signed an order effective from May 14, 2020, at 12:00 a.m. until May 31, 2020, at 11:59 p.m., renewing many regulations applying to businesses across a wide range of industries that were scheduled to expire on May 13^th. These regulations include social-distancing requirements and limitations on large gatherings.  The order provides that bars, nightclubs, and live performance venues will continue to remain closed through the end of May. Several requirements were relaxed. Restaurants are now able to increase dine-in table sizes from 6 to 10 patrons, and the number of children allowed in a child-care facility classroom was doubled from 10 to 20.  Summer camps are allowed to resume if they comply with a list of regulations in the order, although overnight camps are not yet permitted.  To view the order, click here.

Governor Kemp signed an order providing that the previous provisions of the shelter-in-place order pertaining to the issuance of driver’s licenses without an on-the-road test terminated on May 11, 2020. The order provides that the Department of Drivers’ Services shall develop a process for drivers who have been awarded a driver’s license without an on-the-road test to complete the test no later than September 30, 2020. To view the order, click here.

May 11, 2020

The Supreme Court of Georgia issued a second extension of the statewide judicial emergency, which is now set to expire on Friday, June 12, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. Among other issues addressed in the order, courts are prohibited from summoning new trial or grand jurors and from conducting criminal or civil jury trials. To view the order, click here.

May 7, 2020

The Georgia Municipal Association has created guidelines for cities to reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the resources is a Return to Workplace Checklist, which may be viewed here.

May 5, 2020

City of Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced the opening of applications for the Strength in Beauty Fund, a relief effort to support Atlanta’s cosmetology industry workers who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Fund, which was largely created by a donation from Walker & Company Brands, will provide up to $1,000 grants to eligible workers on a first come, first served basis,  To learn more about the Strength in Beauty Fund, click

Mayor Bottoms also announced the creATL Relief Fund, launched through a public/private collaboration between the Mayor’s Office of Film and Entertainment, the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, the Mayor’s Office of City Planning, Invest Atlanta, and City National Bank, to assist freelance and gig-workers in creative industries (film, television, media, music eSports, and digital entertainment).  To learn more, click here.

May 4, 2020

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia is expected to extend the Statewide Judicial Emergency, which is currently due to expire on May 13, to June 12, 2020.  Among other provisions, the extension order will continue the suspension of all civil and criminal jury trials.  To learn more, click here.

Georgia schools will receive over $400 million in federal emergency aid from the CARES Act. Most of the funds will be distributed to the state’s school districts and state-run schools, as well as thirty state-chartered schools. The Georgia Department of Education is withholding 10% for a rainy-day fund and is keeping half a percent ($2.3 million) to administer the grant. To learn more, click here.

May 1, 2020

The Peachtree Road Race, which has taken place every Fourth of July since 1970, has been postponed until Thanksgiving Day, November 26^th, due to coronavirus concerns.  To learn more, click here.

April 30, 2020

Governor Kemp signed an order renewing the public health state of emergency through June 12, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. The shelter-in-place order expires on April 30^th for most of the state’s residents except the elderly and those deemed “medically fragile.” To view the order, click here.

April 28, 2020

To prevent “COVID-19 slide,” Marietta City Schools is offering an optional virtual summer school program from June 1 through July 2 for students in kindergarten through eighth grade.  Students of Marietta High Schools who are recovering credits, or who are eligible to graduate at the end of summer school, may also take advantage of a free credit recovery summer program to remain on track for graduation.  High school students who take classes just to get ahead will be charged $220 per half-credit. To learn more, click here.

April 27, 2020

The Promise All Atlanta Children Thrive group and the nonprofit Quality Care for Children have announced a program to provide grants of up to $20,000 to licensed child care providers that provide early learning and care for children from birth to age five.  Top priority will go to facilities that serve low-income families and operate within high-need areas of the Atlanta metro.  The program will be funded by the United Way of Greater Atlanta, the Joseph B. Whitehead Foundation, and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation  To learn more, click here.

April 24, 2020

City of Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced that in a partnership with Lendistry, a Community Development Financial Institute and SBA-authorized Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) lender, Goldman Sachs has committed $10 million to loans for Atlanta-area small businesses and non-profits that have been unable to submit a PPP application through another lending institution. To learn more, click here.

City of Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced that the City of Atlanta has launched the Senior Food Assistance Program for seniors living within the City of Atlanta who are: 60 years old or older; lower income; not participating in another senior food assistance program; and unable to leave home, prepare meals themselves, or use commercial home delivery services. To learn more, click here.

April 23, 2020

Governor Kemp issued a detailed order setting out provisions for various industries to re-open or continue operations in the coming weeks.  The majority of the order is effective from May 1, 2020 at 12:00 A.M. until May 13, 2020 at 11:59 P.M.  Of note, the order provides the following:

• Restaurants and dining services, including those at private social clubs, are permitted to resume dine-in services on April 27, 2020, at 12:00 A.M., but they must implement several measures to limit the risk of transmitting COVID-19. These measures, which are outlined in further detail within the order, include:
  • Screening workers and requiring them not to report to work when they show signs of illness. An employee with known or suspected COVID-19 must follow CDC guidelines for self-isolation and quarantine.
  • Implementing teleworking and staggered shifts for all possible workers;
  • Requiring employees to wear clean face coverings at all times
  • Updating floor plans to ensure at least six feet of separation between groups of patrons
  • Using technological solutions where possible to reduce person-to-person contact, including mobile ordering and contactless payment; and
  • Prioritizing take-out and curbside pick-up services over dine-in services. .
• The Georgia Department of Economic Development is authorized to issue guidance to any business, corporation, organization, or industry trade group regarding its status as “Critical Infrastructure.” Such guidance must be in writing and will be considered a final agency action.
• All residents and visitors shall practice social distancing and refrain from “gathering” as defined by the order. People are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings while outside their homes except when eating, drinking, or exercising outdoors.
• Residents and visitors that meet the criteria set forth in the order as being higher risk of severe illness are required to shelter in place. Higher risk individuals include those who are 65 or older, those living in a nursing home or long-term care facility, and those who have chronic lung disease, moderate to severe asthma, severe heart disease, or are immunocompromised individuals required to shelter in place are ordered not to receive visitors except for those providing medical care, support for daily living, and necessary supplies and services. A number of additional exceptions to this shelter-in-place directive are included in the order.
• Live public swimming pools, performance venues, amusement rides, and businesses which are considered “bars” under O.C.G.A. § 3-1-2 (2.1) shall not engage in in-person operations and shall remain closed during the period of the order.
• Other industries are authorized to resume or continue operations subject to certain mandatory and recommended health and safety procedures described in the order. These industries include:
  • Businesses defined as “Critical Infrastructure;”
  • Retail businesses, including “food establishments” such as retail and wholesale grocery stores, but not including food processing plans or wholesale sandwich and salad manufactures;
  • Gyms and fitness centers;
  • Body art studios, estheticians, hair designers, massage therapists, and tanning facilities;
  • Indoor movie theaters and cinemas;
  • Bowling alleys;
  • Healthcare, dental practices, optometrists, opticians, and ambulatory surgical centers;
  • Childcare facilities;
  • Industries where persons work outdoors without regular contact with other persons (contractors, landscape business, etc.).
• The authorization for meetings of shareholders to be held by remote communications is extended to meetings held by remote communication pursuant to O.C.G.A. §§ 14-2-701, 14-2-702, 14-3-701 and 14-3-702 regardless of whether such meetings occurs during the public health emergency, but in each case, a notice of meeting required by O.C.G.A. § 14-2-705 or O.C.G.A.§14-3-705 must be provided.
• There are additional provisions included for county and municipal governments and drivers’ services.

To view the order, click here.

April 22, 2020

Georgia

The Georgia Board of Cosmetology and Barbers, which oversees more than 95,000 licensed professionals, issued its guidelines for businesses to re-open in Georgia. They include the following:

• Temperature checks for employees and clients;
• Screening questions for each client;
• Salons should consider taking clients on an appointment only basis using telephonic/online scheduling, and limiting the number of people in the waiting area;
• Salons should maintain six feet between people in the salon and consider additional spacing, divider shields, or alternate work schedules;
• Salon employees should wear masks, and salons should consider providing masks to clients;
• All salons should thoroughly clean their facilities prior to reopening, maintain regular disinfection of equipment and facilities, and remove all unnecessary items (magazines, decor, etc.); and
• Sick employees should remain at home.
• To learn more, click here.

Atlanta

The City of Atlanta and Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett counties will collectively receive more than $614 million in aid through the CARES Act. The amount each will receive varies by population, but each entity will receive a substantial sum to pay for overtime, equipment, hazard pay, and other expenditures. To learn more, click here.

April 21, 2020

In an update on the City of Atlanta’s efforts to protect the homeless from COVID-19, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced several developments, including:

• A full-scale testing plan developed by the CDC, Mercy Care, and the Fulton County Board of Health is occurring at 16 shelter sites, with several others forthcoming.
• An isolation hotel for those who have tested positive for COVID-19 has been operational for two weeks.
• The administration has set aside an additional $1.5 million in emergency funds, which were recently matched by an additional $1.5 million in philanthropic contributions.  The funds are being used to assist homeless or displaced individuals.
• The City of Atlanta was awarded $9.7 million in Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) federal entitlement grant funds—a portion of which will support homelessness-related efforts.

To learn more, click here.

April 20, 2020

Governor Kemp signed an order that authorizes the reopening of certain businesses and establishes certain operations and procedures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The order provides as follows:

• All medical, dental, orthodontics and optometry practices, physical therapists, ambulatory surgical centers, physicians performing elective surgeries, healthcare institutions, medical facilities, and any other healthcare-related practices that elected to cease operations because of COVID-19 should begin treating patients as soon as practicable in accordance with CDC and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services guidelines. These businesses will not be subject to “Minimum Basic Operations” restrictions provided in Executive Order 04.02.20.01, which issued the statewide shelter-in-place requirement.
• Gyms, fitness centers, bowling alleys, body art studios, estheticians, hair designs and massage therapists may begin in-person Minimum Basic Operations on Friday, April 24, 2020 provided they implement a list of measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 set forth in the Executive Order. These measures include screening workers for illness, requiring sick employees not to report to work, enhanced workplace sanitation,  the use of personal protective equipment as available and appropriate, and many others.
• The order reiterates that “Minimum Basic Operations” are limited to the minimum necessary activities to maintain the value of the business, provide services, manage inventory, ensure security, and process payroll and benefits. They include activities for employees to work, and patrons to participate, remotely, and instances where employees work outdoors without regular contact with other persons.
• No more than ten people shall be gathered at a single location if they must stand or be seated within six feet of another person, unless the business is defined as “Critical Infrastructure” by prior Executive Orders.
• The Department of Public Health shall enter into an agreement with Augusta University Health System, Inc. to provide COVID-19 screening and testing. The order also authorizes the Department to use measures necessary to overcome the COVID-19 health emergency, including by overriding any local orders. The State Health Officer is authorized to select specific screening and testing services and enforce uniform testing requirements for the State of Georgia.
• The order further expands the categories of healthcare workers that are considered auxiliary emergency management workers under O.C.G.A. § 38-3-35, thereby providing them with civil immunity from personal injury or property damage liability when acting in that capacity during the public health emergency.

The order also suspends any county or municipal order that is more or less restrictive, and it rescinds any provisions of prior executive orders that are in conflict with its directives.  To view the order, click here. To learn more, click here.

April 16, 2020

Governor Kemp signed an order transferring $32M from the Governor’s Emergency Fund to the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency in response to the COVID-19 public emergency.  To view the order, click here.

April 15, 2020

The State Election Board voted to allow absentee ballots to be submitted at drop boxes, which eliminates having to pay for postage or hand them directly to election workers. To learn more, click here.

April 14, 2020

Georgia

Governor Kemp signed an order providing that employees, staff, and contractors of certain healthcare institutions and medical facilities shall be considered “auxiliary emergency management workers” under O.C.G.A. § 38-3-35, thereby providing them with civil immunity from personal injury or property damage liability when acting in that capacity during the public health emergency. To view the order, click here.

Atlanta

City of Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced a partnership with Georgia’s Own Foundation to distribute the first $250,000 installment of the City of Atlanta’s commitment to support its eligible contract employees financially impacted by the coronavirus. The City has committed to providing $7M overall in relief funds and will make up to $1.5M in donations to the Georgia’s Own Foundation.  To learn more, click here.

Clayton County

Clayton County has extended its state of emergency to May 13, 2020. The county is also following the Governor’s extension of the shelter-in-place order scheduled to expire on April 30, 2020, but the county’s plan will continue through that weekend and will expire at 11:59 p.m. on May 3, 2020. All county employees not on approved leave, unless otherwise directed by their supervisor, are directed to report to work on May 4, 2020. To learn more, click here.

Roswell

The City of Roswell’s moratorium on new multifamily housing developments, including applications for new apartments, duplexes, townhouses, and condominiums unless they are within a mixed-use project with more than 75% non-residential space, has been extended to June 10, 2020. To learn more, click here.

April 13, 2020

Governor Kemp signed an order expressing his intent not to apply O.C.G.A. § 16-11-38(a), which makes it a misdemeanor to wear “a mask, hood, or device by which any portion of the face is so hidden, concealed, or covered as to conceal the identity of the wearer,” to any person wearing a mask “for the purpose of complying with guidance of any healthcare agency or to prevent the spread of COVID-19.” To view the order, click here.

MARTA is providing a $500 “hero” bonus to over 3,500 employees for working during the coronavirus pandemic. The bonus is in addition to increased sick time, masks, and other benefits that MARTA is providing to keep employees and passengers safe.  To learn more, click here.

April 12, 2020

Governor Kemp announced that Georgia will convert part of the Georgia World Congress Center into a 200-bed hospital for coronavirus patients experiencing mild to moderate symptoms. To learn more, click here.

April 9, 2020

Governor Kemp issued an order temporarily allowing notarization and attestation of documents using real-time audio-video communication technology for notaries who are attorneys licensed to practice in Georgia or operating under the supervision of an attorney licensed in Georgia. To view the order, click here.

The State Bar of Georgia has issued suggested practices and FAQs related to the Governor’s virtual notarization order.  To learn more, click here.

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger postponed Georgia’s presidential primary for three weeks to June 9, 2020. To learn more, click here.

April 8, 2020

Georgia

Governor Kemp issued an order extending Georgia’s public health emergency for 30 days.  The order also extends the shelter-in-place order, which was originally set to expire on April 13^th, through April 30, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. To view the order, click here.

Governor Kemp issued an order providing enhanced health and safety protocols for intermediate care facilities, personal care homes, nursing homes, inpatient hospice, assisted living communities, community living arrangements, and community integration homes. To view the order, click here.

Governor Kemp issued an order suspending vacation rentals from 12:00 a.m. on April 9, 2020 to April 30, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. The order states that “no Vacation Rentals shall occur in the State of Georgia” during this period.  “Vacation Rentals” are defined as “any transaction for the lease or license to use residential property for residential or vacation purposes; that is facilitated by a third party or broker, where the lease or license term does not exceed 30 days; where the lessor or licensor is a corporation, limited liability corporation, partnership, or any other entity; and where the lessee or licensee is a private person.” Hotels, extended stay hotels, campgrounds or commercial transactions are excluded from the order.  Vacation rentals with fully paid reservation agreements executed prior to 12:00 a.m. on April 9, 2020 are excluded, as are leases for property that are or will be used as a person’s primary place of residence.  The order further provides that law enforcement shall not dispossess or evict occupants of a vacation rental to enforce the order. To view the order, click here.

Governor Kemp extended the previous executive order authorizing a call of the National Guard for state active duty through May 13, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.  To view the order, click here.

Atlanta 

City of Atlanta Mayor Bottoms signed an order authorizing the use of $1.5M to match a private philanthropic donation to test, transport, isolate, and shelter homeless people infected with the coronavirus. To view the order, click here.

April 7, 2020

Atlanta 

City of Atlanta Mayor Bottoms announced new guidelines for the Atlanta BeltLine.  Among these newly announced guidelines are suggested hourly restrictions designed to ensure that BeltLine visitors adhere to social-distancing recommendations.  To learn more, click here. Mayor Bottoms also announced enhanced hazard pay policies for eligible city employees. To learn more, click here.

April 3, 2020

Governor Kemp issued an order expanding the definition of “Essential Services” such that the phrase “engaging in activities essential for the health and safety of family or household members” includes any and all activities that may preserve the health and welfare of persons in the State.  “Essential Services” is expanded to include the transport, visitation, regular care of family members and persons dependent on the services of others and similar actions that ensure the welfare and best interest of persons in the State of Georgia.  It also includes children obtaining public internet access to fulfill educational obligations.  The order clarifies that only those officials deputized by the Governor or Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency are “authorized to mandate the closure of any business, establishment, corporation, non-profit corporation or organization” found not to be in compliance with the shelter-in-place order. To view the order, click here.

Governor Kemp issued an order providing that Sheriffs of the State of Georgia and their deputies are authorized to enforce the closure of businesses, establishments, corporations, non-profit corporations or organization in accordance with the prior shelter-in-place order.  The order further provides that Sheriffs should take reasonable steps to provide notice and a reasonable time to allow businesses to comply with directions prior to mandating closure.  To view the order, click here.

Because Governor Kemp’s shelter-in-place order allows for outdoor exercise with social distancing of at least six feet and supersedes prior local orders, the beaches, which had previously been closed, are viable options for exercise as of Friday evening. To learn more, click here.

April 2, 2020

Governor Kemp issued a statewide shelter-in-place order in effect from 6:00 p.m. on April 3, 2020 until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, April 13, 2020.  The nine-page order is detailed and contains the following key provisions:

• No business, organization, or government shall allow more than 10 persons to gather in a single location unless all persons can maintain at least six (6) feet of distance between themselves and any other person. Exceptions include cohabitating persons outside of their homes and entities that are classified as “Critical Infrastructure;”
• All residents and visitors of the State of Georgia are required to shelter in place unless they are:
  • Conducting “Essential Services,” which include: obtaining necessary supplies and services for their family (the order encourages online ordering, home delivery and curbside pick-up); seeking medical, behavioral health, or emergency services; or engaging in outdoor exercise, so long as persons who are not occupants of the same residence maintain at least six (6) feet of distance from one another;
  • Part of the workforce for “Critical Infrastructure” and are actively engaged in or traveling to and from their employment;
  • Engaged in “Minimum Basic Operations” for a business or organization not classified as “Critical Infrastructure;”
• The term “Critical Infrastructure” refers to businesses and organizations as defined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as the “essential critical infrastructure workforce.” It also includes: suppliers of essential goods and services to the critical infrastructure workforce; entities that provide legal services or home hospice; and organizations that offer food and health or mental health services;
  • Critical Infrastructure businesses must implement measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, including by evaluating for fever, providing enhanced sanitation and personal protective equipment (“PPE”), and other measures defined in the order;
• Businesses that are not considered to be “Critical Infrastructure” shall only engage in “Minimum Basic Operations” and must implement measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, including by evaluating for fever, providing enhanced sanitation and PPE, implementing teleworking protocol wherever possible, and other measures defined in the order;
  • “Minimum Basic Operations” are limited to those activities that are necessary to maintain the value of the business, which may include: remaining open subject to the restrictions in the order; the facilitation of capabilities for employees to work remotely or patrons to participate remotely; and outdoor work where employees are not in regular contact with other persons, such as delivery services, contractors, landscape businesses, and agricultural services;
• All restaurants and private social clubs shall cease dine-in services, but takeout, curbside pick-up, and delivery are permitted. This does not apply to dine-in services in healthcare settings;
• Various businesses, including gyms, entertainment venues, and hair salons, among others, must cease in-person operations;
• Persons required to shelter in place shall not receive visitors except in limited circumstances defined by the order, such as visitors providing medical or emergency services, or necessary supplies and services including food;
• The order also suspends enforcement of any local ordinance or order issued since March 1, 2020, with the purpose of responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency or ordering residents to shelter in place.

The order may be viewed here.

April 1, 2020

Governor Kemp signed an order extending the closure of public elementary and secondary schools through the end of the 2019-2020 school year.  The order may be viewed here.

March 31, 2020

Georgia

Governor Kemp signed an order authorizing the use of real-time audio-visual communication technology to assist in notarizing real estate documents.  The order may be viewed here.

Governor Kemp signed an order authorizing the State Treasurer to act as a “prudent investor” with the objective to maintain liquidity and preserve capital, including purchasing, at market rates, U.S. government securities, repurchase agreements secured by U.S. government securities, and U.S. government money market funds. The order may be viewed here.

Governor Kemp signed an order directing the Commission of Revenue to implement suspensions/waivers related to Conservation Use Value Assessment and Forest Land Use Protection Act applications. The order may be viewed here.

Governor Kemp signed an order providing pharmacy technicians and pharmacists with options for handling the computer-based processing of prescriptions. The order may be viewed here.

Clayton County

Clayton County Board of Commissions signed an amended declaration of emergency ordering residents to shelter in place beginning 12:01 a.m. on April 1, 2020 until 11:59 p.m. on April 12, 2020.  The order allows individuals to leave their residences only for essential activities, essential governmental functions and to operate essential businesses as defined by the order.  “Essential Businesses” are defined in Exhibit A of the order and include healthcare operations and essential infrastructure, grocery stores, food cultivation, media, gas stations and auto-supply/repair, banks, and hardware stores, among others.  To view the order, click here.

Fulton County

The Fulton County Board of Health issued an order requiring all Fulton County residents to shelter in place until the order is rescinded. Individuals may leave their places of residence only to provide or receive essential services, engage in essential activities, work for essential business and/or perform essential governmental functions as defined in the order. Individually who are “medically fragile” in that they are at an increased risk for contracting COVID-19 are encouraged to stay in their residence except as necessary to seek medical care. Violations of the order shall constitute a misdemeanor and carry penalties and fines of up to $1,000 and/or up to 12 months in jail per offense.  The order may be viewed here.

March 30, 2020

Georgia

Governor Kemp signed an order authorizing a $35M transfer from the Governor’s Emergency Fund in response to the U.S. Declaration of National Emergency for COVID-19 and the State of Georgia Executive Order Declaration of Public Health State of Emergency. The order may be viewed here.

March 27, 2020

Georgia

Governor Kemp signed an Executive Order authorizing the Georgia State Board of Education to waive, on its own initiative, the rules, regulations, policies and procedures found within the Elementary and Secondary Education provisions of the Official Code of Georgia; suspending the statutory provisions concerning Annual Performance Evaluation for Local Education Agencies through July 31, 2020; suspending the statutory requirement that home-study students to be subject to standardized testing at least every three years through July 31, 2020; and ordering that any home-study student that has not satisfied the nationally standardized testing requirement shall satisfy the requirement before the end of the 2020-2021 school year. The order may be viewed here.

DeKalb County

DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond issued an Executive Order effective March 28, 2020, at 9:00 p.m. until further notice.  The Order directs all residents to “stay at their place of residence,” except to work for essential businesses or engage in certain essential activities.  Under Section 12 of the Order, “essential activities” include, among others, activities essential to an individual’s or family member’s (including pets) health and safety, obtaining necessary supplies, and engaging in outdoor activities. Section 13 of the Order defines “essential businesses,” which include, among others, all types of health care operations, government services, utilities, banks and credit unions, grocery stores, and mail and shipping services. To view the order, click here.

Douglas County 

Douglas County Board of Commissioners issued Emergency Ordinance 20-082 supporting the Douglas County Board of Health’s March 25, 2020 shelter in place order.  The ordinance declares that a local state of emergency exists and requires that all individuals living within Douglas County shelter in place from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. and only leave their homes for essential activities, essential governmental functions or to operate essential businesses. Public and private gatherings of 10 or more outside a household are prohibited except as exempted by Section 6 of the ordinance. Sheltering in place is not required from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Section 6(f) defines “essential businesses” to include healthcare and infrastructure, grocery stores, food cultivation, media, gas stations and auto repair, banks, hardware stores, and restaurants that prepare food for delivery and carry out, among others. When using shared or outdoor spaces, individuals must maintain at least six feet of social distancing. All businesses except essential businesses may not operate from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. except for restocking, cleaning and preparation.  The order is in place until 11:59 p.m. on April 10, 2020. To view the ordinance, click here.

Gwinnett County

Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners and the mayors of all 16 cities in Gwinnett have issued shelter-in-place orders for their jurisdictions. The County Order is in effect from 12:01 a.m. on March 28, 2020 through 11:59 p.m. on April 13, 2020.  The Order mandates that all businesses that operate in Gwinnett County cease all activity except for the minimum necessary activities to maintain the value of the businesses’ inventory, ensure security, process payroll and employee benefits, and perform other related functions. This directive applies to for-profit, nonprofit, or private educational entities; it excludes essential businesses. Businesses consisting exclusively of employees or contractors who work from home may continue to operate. “Essential businesses” are defined in Section 5(F) of the Order and include, among many others, healthcare operations, grocery stores, banks and related financial institutions,  and businesses providing mail services.  The Gwinnett County Order may be viewed here.

March 26, 2020

Georgia

Governor Kemp signed an order allowing and directing the Commissioner of Labor to adopt emergency rules with respect to deductible earnings for unemployment insurance claims filed on or after March 14^th, authorizing and directing the suspension of rules requiring the maximum unemployment benefits payable to an individual in a benefit year be limited to the lesser of one-fourth of the base period wages or fourteen to twenty times the individual’s weekly benefit amount, and authorizing and directing the adoption of emergency rules establishing the maximum unemployment benefits payable in a benefit year. The order may be viewed here.

Governor Kemp signed an order extending the previous closure of public schools through April 24, 2020. On April 1^st, Governor Kemp extended this closure through the end of the 2019-2020 school year. The order may be viewed here.

March 25, 2020

Georgia

Governor Kemp signed an order extending or suspending various deadlines related to driver’s licenses, identification cards and ignition interlock device requirements. The order may be viewed here.

Cherokee County

Cherokee County declared a local emergency until April 9, 2020. The order limits community gatherings of more than 10 people unless six feet of social distance is maintained.  Beginning March 26, 2020 at 12:00 a.m. until April 9, 2020 at 12:00 a.m., dining rooms are closed, but may continue to offer takeout or drive-through services.  Employers are encouraged to provide teleworking options.  The order also adopts the Governor’s stay at home order for vulnerable populations. The order may be viewed here.

Douglas County

Douglas County Board of Health issued an Executive Order effective from March 26, 2020 at noon to 11:59 p.m. on April 10^th requiring that residents shelter in place except for essential activities and limiting hours for nonessential businesses from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The order may be viewed here.  Section 6(a) of the Order defines “Essential Activities” to include, among other things, obtaining medical care, food, or supplies required to work from home; outdoor activities; and performing services at an “Essential Business.”   Section 6(f) of the Order defines “Essential Businesses” as those providing “Essential Infrastructure,” including healthcare operations; grocery stores and supermarkets; banks and related financial institutions; and businesses or manufacturers that supply other essential businesses with the support or supplies necessary to operate.

Gwinnett County

Gwinnett County declared a state of emergency closing various nonessential businesses and closing dining rooms but allowing takeout, delivery or drive-through. businesses closed under the order include fitness centers, live performance venues, arcades, and “similar establishments.”  The list can be found in Section (1) of Local Emergency Order No. 1-2. To learn more, click here.

Rockdale County

Rockdale County enacted a mandatory shelter in place ordinance that will go into effect on March 26^th at 12:01 a.m. and expire April 8, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.  Nonessential businesses are required to cease all except minimum basic operations and residents are to shelter in place unless out for essential work or needs including food, medication or an essential medical need. Parks trails and facilities are closed. The ordinance may be viewed here.  “Essential businesses” include healthcare operations, banking and related financial institutions, grocery stores, and childcare facilities.  For a complete list, please refer to Section 7(f) of the ordinance.

March 24, 2020

Georgia

Governor Kemp called on Georgia businesses to provide critical items including N-95 masks or equivalent, air purifying machines, face shields, hair covers, hand sanitizer, hospital beds, gloves (various sizes – nitrile or latex-free), negative pressure machines, no-touch thermometers (regular if no-touch are not available), safety goggles, sanitation units, sanitizing spray, sanitizing wipes, shoe covers, surgical masks, Tyvek suits, and ventilators. Businesses are asked to complete an informational survey located here.

Governor Kemp signed an order reducing restrictions for child care learning centers and family child learning homes. The order allows these facilities to restrict families’ and guardians’ access to all areas of their facilities and to limit access to the front door or classroom. The order also eliminates the requirement of age-appropriate immunization records or an affidavit against immunization, specifies that no field trips shall occur, and lowers the CPR and First Aid training requirements to require at least one onsite staff member and one administrator having CPR and First Aid Certifications. The order may be viewed here.

Decatur

The Mayor of the City of Decatur has issued a stay at home order ceasing the operations of “non-essential” businesses, except for “Minimum Basic Operations” (defined in Section 4(c)(3) of the order as, among other things, the minimum necessary activities to maintain the value of the business’s inventory, ensure security, and process payroll).  To the extent non-essential businesses can continue operations remotely, they may do so. Section 5(c)(2) of the Order defines the term “essential businesses,” which includes, among other things, businesses and activities related to health and safety, grocery stores, pharmacies, and banks and related financial institutions. The order may be viewed here.

Clayton County

Clayton County amended its previous declaration of emergency effective March 16^th and has closed government and administrative offices through April 12, 2020. All gatherings of 10 or more persons are prohibited in public areas.  The order may be viewed here.

Cobb County

Cobb County declared a state of emergency and ordered citizens to shelter in place starting at noon on March 25th.  Public gatherings of 10 or more are prohibited. Hours for nonessential businesses are cut to no earlier than 6:00 a.m. and no later than 9:00 p.m. except to allow for restocking, cleaning and preparation for the next day’s businesses. All businesses that remain open must maintain a distance of six feet between individuals. All dining rooms are closed, but take out and deliveries are still allowed. To view the order, click here.

Fulton County

Fulton County Department of Public works has made its permitting process entirely virtual.  All Land Review Login Application Forms and construction plans including cover sheets, utility information, and profile sheets should be submitted electronically. To view more information, click here.

Fulton County declared a state of emergency limiting gatherings or 10 or more people except if they are working in essential businesses.  To view more, click here.

March 23, 2020

Georgia

Governor Kemp signed an order requiring shelter in place for various higher risk populations (nursing home and long-term care facility residents, those with chronic lung disease, those undergoing cancer treatment and those included in the Department of Public Health Administrative Order 03.22.20.01), banned gatherings of more than 10 people if the gathering requires less than six feet of social distancing, and ordered bars and nightclubs closed. The order may be viewed here.

Governor Kemp expanded temporary licensing of certain medical professions to assist in the State’s response efforts. The order suspends the provisions prohibiting the practice or medicine by a licensee whose license in inactive or lapsed, but it is limited to those which lapsed or expired within the past five years and were not subject of a licensing board investigation and have no history of administrative action. Individuals may only provide treatment to victims of the COVID-19 health emergency. The Georgia Board of Nursing is authorized to grant temporary licenses to practice to graduate registered nurses and practice nurses who have yet to take their licensing exams. The order may be viewed here.

Atlanta

Atlanta Public Schools announced that schools will remain closed at least through April 13^th and possibly beyond.  To view the announcement, click here.

City of Atlanta Mayor Bottoms issued a shelter in place order effective midnight on March 24, 2020 for 14 days ending April 7th.  All businesses, unless defined as an essential business, must stop activities at their facilities except for minimum basic operations, but employees can continue working from home. “Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies” are allowed to continue services. Healthcare suppliers and home healthcare workers can continue working. Residents may still continue to leave their home for various reasons, including to exercise outside (parks and Atlanta BeltLine remain open), go to the grocery, pharmacy and hardware store, pick up food from a restaurant, and seek medical and veterinary services, among others. The order may be viewed here.

DeKalb County

DeKalb County issued a state of emergency order effective March 23^rd prohibiting public gatherings of 10 or more people; asking individuals to shelter in place as much as possible and participate in a voluntary curfew from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. except trips to work, for medical treatment, food, medication, or emergency; closing playgrounds; closing dining rooms but allowing take out; and limiting hours for nonessential businesses to  6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., among other provisions. “Essential businesses” include healthcare operations, government services, banks and credit unions, and many others.  The term is defined in Section 11 of the Executive Order.

March 20, 2020

Georgia

Governor Kemp signed an order reducing various regulations to assist in the response and also authorized a transfer of approximately $19.5M from the Governor’s Emergency Fund to cover costs associated with the COVID-19 health emergency.  The order may be viewed here.

Governor Kemp signed an order eliminating enforcement of strict compliance with notice provisions as it relates to the use of physician assistants, allowing the Georgia Composite Medical Board to adopt emergency rules to provide telemedicine licenses, and allowing Georgia pharmacists to dispense a 90-day supply of a drug if the patient has refills and the pharmacist cannot contact the issuing practitioner to obtain refill authorization. Georgia pharmacists may also dispense early refills.  These dispensations do not apply to Schedule II controlled substances. The order may be viewed here.

March 19, 2020

Atlanta

City of Atlanta Mayor Bottoms issued two Executive Orders to slow the spread of COVID-19. The first orders the closure of all bars and nightclubs that do not serve food, gyms and fitness centers, movie theaters, live performance venues, bowling alleys, and arcades, and private social clubs, located within the territorial jurisdictional limits of the City of Atlanta. However, restaurants and other eating and drinking establishments where food is served may continue preparing and offering food to customers via delivery service, drive-through, or take-out. The first order may be viewed here. The second suspends the booting and towing of vehicles in the City right of way. The second order may be viewed here.

March 18, 2020

Atlanta

City of Atlanta Mayor Bottoms signed legislation allowing the City to temporarily reduce Concessionaire and Car Rental Company rental requirements for a period of four (4) months, ending on June 30, 2020. The learn more, click here.

City of Atlanta Mayor Bottoms closed Atlanta City Hall to essential and non-essential employees.

March 17, 2020

Georgia

The Georgia Supreme Court suspended filing deadlines through April 13, 2020. The notice may be viewed here.

Atlanta

City of Atlanta Mayor Bottoms issued an Executive Order calling a temporary moratorium on residential evictions and filings for a period of sixty (60) days effective immediately. The order may be viewed here.

City of Atlanta Mayor Bottoms issued an Executive Order creating a $7 million emergency fund. The order may be viewed here.

March 16, 2020

Georgia

The University System of Georgia moved to online instruction for the remainder of the semester. The notice may be viewed here.

Governor Kemp closed public schools from March 18 to March 31, 2020.  The order may be viewed here.

Atlanta

City of Atlanta Mayor Bottoms issued an Executive Order declaring a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic and that public assemblages, events and gatherings of 250, updated the same day to 50 or more persons within the City of Atlanta until March 31, 2020. The order may be viewed here.

Henry County

All Henry County Government Buildings, including Rec Centers and the Recycling Center, are closed. To learn more, click here.

Fayette County

Fayette County offices closed public access from March 16 through April 30^th to limit social contact.  To learn more, click here.

March 14, 2020

Georgia

Governor Kemp declared a public health state of emergency and also authorized the call of the Georgia National Guard. The order allows the Georgia Composite Medical Board and Georgia Board of Nursing to grant temporary licenses to physicians and nurses with licenses in good standing in other states and also suspends the rules and regulations limiting hours of service for operators of commercial vehicles. There are also provisions relating to the weight, height and length of vehicles included in the order. The order may be viewed here.

The Georgia Supreme Court declared a statewide judicial emergency granting relief through April 13, 2020. The order may be viewed here.

Atlanta

City of Atlanta Mayor Bottoms announced the Centers of Hope Afterschool program will continue to provide free meals to all students who rely on them throughout the closure of schools. The order may be viewed here.

March 13, 2020

Atlanta

City of Atlanta Mayor Bottoms announced the City is implementing a full telework deployment for all non-essential employees through Tuesday, March 31, 2020. City Hall was closed to the general public.

March 11, 2020

Atlanta

City of Atlanta Mayor Bottoms issued an Administrative Order directing the Commissioner of Watershed Management to refrain from taking any action which would result in the termination of water services for the next 60 days. The order may be viewed here.

*Please also note that many counties and municipalities in the Atlanta metro have either partially or completed suspended residential eviction proceedings.*

Shelter in Place/Curfews*

• The State of Georgia has statewide shelter in place order in effect from 6:00 p.m. on April 3, 2020 until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, April 13, 2020. On April 8^th, this order was extended through April 30, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.
• Athens-Clarke County has a shelter in place order until April 7^th.
• Baldwin County has a curfew in place from 10 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. starting March 23rd at 10:00 p.m.
• Camden County has a curfew from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
• Carroll County has a shelter in place order until April 12^th.
• Clayton County has a shelter in place order from 12:01 a.m. on April 1, 2020 until 11:59 p.m. on April 12, 2020.
• Cobb County has a shelter in place order beginning noon on March 25^th until April 15th.
• DeKalb County is asking individuals shelter in place as much as possible and participate in a voluntary curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. beginning March 23^rd.
• Dougherty County has a shelter in place order beginning on March 21^st.
• Douglas County has a shelter in place order from March 26, 2020 at noon to 11:59 p.m. on April 10^th
• Floyd County has a shelter in place order through 11:59 p.m. on April 7^th.
• Fulton County has a shelter in place order beginning March 31, 2020 until rescinded.
• Laurens County has a curfew between 10 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
• Rockdale County has a shelter in place ordinance that will go into effect on March 26^th to April 8, 2020.
• The City of Adel has a curfew from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
• The City of Atlanta has a shelter in place order effective from midnight on March 24^th for 14 days.
• The City of Decatur has a stay at home order from March 25^th through 11:59 p.m. on April 7^th.
• The City of Savannah has a shelter in place order through 11:59 p.m. on April 8^th.
• The City of South Fulton has a curfew from 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
• The City of Tucker has a curfew from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m..

To view a county-by-county guide from 11Alive, click here.

*This list may not be all-inclusive.

Below you will find links to the Governor’s Executive Orders and other notices related to COVID-19:

State of Georgia Response

City of Atlanta Response