Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms issued an updated executive order prohibiting public gatherings and events of 50 or more persons within the City of Atlanta until March 31, 2020. The new executive order follows the latest Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidance.
The Mayor signed a second Executive Order requiring restaurants, bars, gyms, movie theatres, clubs, and other public gathering spots to limit their occupancy to no more than 50 people. Hospital cafeterias and nursing homes are not included in the executive order.
“We know that we need to take active measures to flatten the curve,” Bottoms said. “This is an unprecedented health crisis and social distancing is critical. We are following the latest CDC guidelines and we will continue to follow the recommendations of our public health experts.”
“I very much welcome the Mayor’s decision to decrease the number of people at public gatherings to be consistent with the most recent CDC recommendations,” said Dr. Carlos del Rio, a distinguished Professor of Medicine and Global Health at Emory University. “This is a good measure and I recommend everyone practices it. Today is 50, but tomorrow could be less. I am very happy to see the Mayor rapidly take the CDC guidance and urge people to take it seriously.”
The Mayor signed a third Executive Order today temporarily halting the Atlanta Police Department and Department of Parks and Recreation from accepting new applications for permits and special events.
“This is a serious and evolving health threat that warrants action,” Bottoms said. “As guidelines and recommendations are adjusted daily by our federal and state partners, we will assess and adjust our policies accordingly.”
The Executive Order is just the latest of many efforts and policies instituted by the Bottoms Administration to combat the COVID-19 health threat.
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 any Watershed Management customer due to non-payment for the next 60 days.
The mayor also issued an order for the Centers of Hope Afterschool program to continue to provide free meals to all students who rely on them throughout the closure of schools. A list of schools and more information can be found here. For more information on the Centers of Hope Afterschool Program and Registration, please visit the Official Website.
The City has also posted prevention information and additional resources related to COVID-19 on its website here.
Chief among the City’s guidance to residents and visitors are the following preventative measures:
1. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
3. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
4. Stay home when you are sick.
5. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
6. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
7. If you have recently returned from a country with ongoing COVID-19 infections monitor your health and follow the instructions of public health officials
Recommended CDC safety guidelines can be found online here.
