AN EMERGENCY ORDER OF THE HARALSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH DECLARING A LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY RELATED TO COVID-19, TO FURTHER PROHIBIT ALL NONESSENTIAL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE GATHERINGS, TO IMPOSE STAY AT HOME AND SHELTER IN PLACE REQUIREMENTS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
WHEREAS,Haralson County, Georgia (the County) has experienced an event of critical significance as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease (COVID-19); and
WHEREAS,various local governments within the County have previously entered Orders declaring a local state of emergency related to COVID-19 and further: (1) imposed social distancing requirements of six feet between persons when outside their residences at all times as reasonably as possible; (2) prohibited public and private gatherings of more than ten people, except for essential functions; and (3) closed all bars, restaurants, and other business that sell food or beverages for consumption on premises or who provide entertainment on premises to in-person dining, consumption of alcohol, or entertainment, except that such business may offer food for take-away to eat somewhere other than at the establishment if otherwise in compliance with the Order; and
WHEREAS, since the issuance of the local government Orders, there have been 24 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the area, bringing the total confirmed cases to 60 as of noon on Tuesday, March 24, 2020, and there are a significant and increasing number of suspected cases of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS,widespread testing for COVID-19 is not yet available, and it is believed that community transmission of COVID-19 in the County has been substantial and continues to increase; and
WHEREAS, medical professionals and experts in the County have advised that COVID-19 is spreading in the County at a greater rate than the majority of the State of Georgia such that it may greatly strain the resources and capabilities of the public health agencies and hospitals that provide essential services for containing, mitigating, and treating the spread of contagious diseases, such as COVID-19, and the situation may very soon become too large in scope to be handled in its entirety by the normal health care providers in the County; and
WHEREAS, in the judgment of the Haralson County Board of Health, as of the date of this Order, there exist emergency circumstances as a result of COVID-19 within the geographical boundaries of the County requiring additional extraordinary and immediate corrective actions for the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of all the citizens of Haralson County;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Haralson County Board of Health does hereby supplement the previous orders of the various local governments in the County with this:
IT IS ORDERED as follows:
1. TheintentofthisOrderistoensurethatthemaximum numberofpeopleself-isolateintheirplacesofresidenceto themaximumextentfeasible,whileenablingessential servicesto continue,toslowthespreadofCOVID-19to themaximumextentpossible.Whenpeopleneed toleave theirplacesofresidence,whethertoobtainorperformvital services,ortootherwisefacilitateauthorizedactivities necessaryforcontinuityofsocialandcommerciallife,they shouldatalltimesas reasonablypossible,complywith SocialDistancingRequirementsasdefinedinSection6 below.AllprovisionsofthisOrdershouldbeinterpretedto effectuatethisintent.Failuretocomplywithanyofthe provisionsofthisOrderconstitutesanimminentthreatto publichealth.
2. Allindividualscurrentlylivingwithintheterritoriallimits oftheCountyshallshelterattheirplaceofresidence.To heextentindividualsareusingsharedoroutdoorspaces,theymustatalltimesasreasonably
possiblemaintain socialdistancingofatleastsix feetfrom anyotherperson whentheyareoutsidetheirresidence.Allpersonsmay leavetheirresidencesonlyforEssentialActivities,EssentialGovernmentalFunctions,ortooperateEssential Businesses,allasdefinedinSection6.Individuals experiencinghomelessnessareexemptfromthisSection,butarestronglyurgedtoobtainshelter,andgovernmental andotherentitiesarestronglyurgedtomakesuchshelter availableassoonaspossibleandtothemaximumextent practicable(andtoutilizeSocialDistancingRequirements intheiroperation).
3. AllbusinesseswithafacilityintheCounty,except EssentialBusinesses asdefinedbelowinSection6,are requiredtoceaseallactivitiesatfacilitieslocatedwithinthe CountyexceptMinimumBasicOperations,asdefinedin Section 6.Forclarity,businessesmayalso continue operationsconsistingexclusivelyofemployeesor contractorsperformingactivitiesattheirownresidences(i.e.,workingfromhome).AllEssentialBusinessesare stronglyencouragedtoremainopen.Tothegreatestextent feasible,EssentialBusinessesshallcomplywithSocial DistancingRequirementsasdefinedinSection6below,including,butnotlimitedto,whenanycustomersare standinginline.
4. Allpublicandprivate gatheringsofanynumberofpeople occurringoutsideahouseholdorlivingunitareprohibited, exceptforthelimitedpurposesasexpresslypermittedin Section6.NothinginthisOrderprohibitsthegatheringof membersofahouseholdorlivingunit.
5. Alltravel,including,butnotlimitedto,travelonfoot,bicycle,scooter,motorcycle,automobile,orpublictransit,exceptEssentialTravelandEssentialActivitiesasdefined belowinSection6,isprohibited.ThisOrderallowstravel intooroutoftheCountytoperformEssentialActivities,operateEssentialBusinesses,ormaintainEssential GovernmentalFunctions.
6. DefinitionsandExemptions.
a. ForpurposesofthisOrder,individualsmayleave theirresidenceonlyto performanyofthefollowingEssentialActivities.Butpeopleathighriskof severeillnessfromCOVID-19andpeoplewhoare sick areurgedtostayintheirresidencetotheextent possibleexceptasnecessarytoseekmedicalcare.
i. Toengageinactivitiesorperformtasksessentialto theirhealthandsafety,ortothehealthandsafetyof theirfamilyorhousehold membersorpartnersor significantothers(including,butnotlimitedto,pets),suchas,bywayofexampleonlyandwithout limitation,obtainingmedicalsuppliesormedication,visitingahealthcareprofessional,or
obtaining suppliestheyneedtoworkfromhome.
ii. Toobtainnecessaryservicesorsuppliesfor themselvesandtheirfamilyorhouseholdmembers,or todeliverthoseservicesorsuppliestoothers,such as,bywayofexampleonlyand withoutlimitation,cannedfood,drygoods,fresh fruitsandvegetables,petsupplies,freshmeats,fish,andpoultry,and any otherhouseholdconsumerproducts,andproducts necessarytomaintainthesafety,sanitation,and essentialoperationofresidences.
iii. Toengageinoutdooractivity,providedthe individualscomplywithSocialDistancing Requirements asdefinedinthisSection,suchas,bywayofexampleandwithoutlimitation,walking,hiking,running,orbicycling.
iiii. Toperformworkprovidingessentialproductsand servicesatanEssentialBusinessortootherwisecarryoutactivitiesspecificallypermittedinthisOrder,includingMinimumBasicOperations.
v. Tocareforafamilymemberorpetinanother household.
b. ForpurposesofthisOrder,individualsmayleave theirresidencetoworkfororobtainservicesatanyHealthcareOperationsincludinghospitals,clinics,dentists,pharmacies,pharmaceuticaland biotechnologycompanies,otherhealthcarefacilities,healthcaresuppliers,homehealthcareservicesproviders,mentalhealthproviders,oranyrelated and/orancillaryhealthcareservices.Healthcare Operationsalsoincludesveterinarycareandall healthcareservicesprovidedtoanimals.This exemptionshallbeconstruedbroadlytoavoidany impactstothedeliveryofhealthcare,broadlydefined.HealthcareOperationsdoesnotincludefitnessand exercisegymsandsimilarfacilities.
c. ForpurposesofthisOrder,individualsmayleave theirresidencetoprovideanyservicesorperformany worknecessarytotheoperationsandmaintenanceofEssentialInfrastructure,including,butnotlimited to,publicworksconstruction,constructionandall relatedactivities(inparticularaffordablehousingor housingforindividualsexperiencinghomelessness),airportoperations,water,sewer,gas,electrical,oil refining,roadsandhighways,publictransportation,solidwastecollectionandremoval,internet,
and telecommunicationssystems(includingtheprovision ofessentialglobal,national,andlocalinfrastructure forcomputingservices,businessinfrastructure,communications,andweb-basedservices), provided thattheycarryoutthoseservicesorthat workin compliancewithSocialDistancingRequirementsas definedthisSection,totheextentpossible.
d. ForpurposesofthisOrder,allfirstresponders,emergencymanagementpersonnel,emergency dispatchers,courtpersonnel,andlawenforcement personnel,andotherswhoneedtoperformessential servicesarecategoricallyexemptfromthisOrder.Further,nothinginthisOrdershallprohibitany individualfromperformingoraccessingEssential GovernmentalFunctions,asdeterminedbythe governmentalentityperformingthosefunctions.Each governmentalentityshallidentifyanddesignate appropriateemployeesorcontractorstocontinue providingandcarryingoutanyEssential GovernmentalFunctions.AllEssentialGovernmental Functionsshallbeperformedincompliancewith SocialDistancingRequirementsasdefinedinthis Section,totheextentpossible.
e. Forthe purposesofthisOrder,coveredbusinesses includeanyfor-profit,nonprofit,orprivate educationalentities,regardlessofthenatureofthe service,thefunctiontheyperform,oritscorporateor entitystructure.
f. ForthepurposesofthisOrder,Essential Businessesmeans:
i. HealthcareOperationsandEssentialInfrastructure;
ii. Grocerystores,certifiedfarmersmarkets,farmand producestands,supermarkets,foodbanks,conveniencestores,andotherestablishmentsengaged intheretailsaleof cannedfood,drygoods,fresh fruitsandvegetables,petsupply,freshmeats,fish, andpoultry,and anyotherhouseholdconsumer products(such ascleaningandpersonalcareproducts).Thisincludes storesthatsellgroceriesandalsosellother non groceryproductsandproductsnecessaryto maintainingthesafety,sanitation,andessential operationofresidences;
iii. Foodcultivation,includingfarming,livestock,and fishing;
iiii. Businessesthatprovidefood,shelter,andsocial services,andothernecessitiesoflifeforeconomically disadvantagedorotherwiseneedyindividuals;
v. Newspapers,television,radio,andothermedia services;
vi. Gasstationsandauto-supply,auto-repair,and relatedfacilities;
vii. Banksandrelatedfinancialinstitutions;
viii. Hardwarestores;
ix. Plumbers,electricians,exterminators,andother serviceproviderswhoprovideservicesthatare necessarytomaintainingthesafety,sanitation,and essentialoperationofresidences,EssentialActivities,andEssentialBusinesses;
x. Businessesprovidingmailingandshippingservices,includingpostofficeboxes;
xi. EducationalinstitutionsincludingprivateK-12 schools,colleges,anduniversitiesforpurposesof facilitatingdistancelearningorperformingessential functions,providedthatsocialdistancingofsix-feet perpersonismaintainedtothegreatestextent possible;
xii. Laundromats,dry cleaners,andlaundryservice providers;
xiii. Restaurantsandotherfacilitiesthatprepareand servefood,butonlyfordeliveryorcarryout.Schools andotherentitiesthattypicallyprovidefreefood servicestostudentsormembersofthepublicmay continuetodosounderthisOrderonthecondition thatthefoodisprovidedto studentsormembersof thepubliconapick-upandtake-awaybasisonly.Schoolsandotherentitiesthatprovidefoodservices underthisexemptionshallnotpermitthefoodtobe eatenatthesitewhereitisprovided,oratanyother gatheringsite;
xiiii. Businessesthatsupplyproductsneededforpeople toworkfromhome;
xv. Businessesormanufacturersthatsupplyother essentialbusinesseswiththesupportorsupplies necessarytooperate;
xvi. Businessesthatshipordelivergroceries,food,goods,orservicesdirectlytoresidences;
xvii. Airlines,taxis,andotherprivatetransportation providersprovidingtransportationservicesnecessary forEssentialActivitiesandotherpurposesexpressly authorizedinthisOrder;
xviii. Home-basedcareforseniors,adults,orchildren;
xix. Residentialfacilitiesincludinghotels,motels,sharedrentalunitsandsimilarfacilitiesandshelters forseniors,adults,andchildren;
xx. Professionalservices,suchaslegal,accounting services,realestateservices,whennecessarytoassist incompliancewithlegallymandatedactivities;
xxi. Unlessotherwisepreemptedbystatelaw,childcare facilitiesprovidingservicesthatenableemployees exemptedinthisOrdertoworkaspermitted.Tothe extentpossible,childcarefacilitiesmustoperateunder thefollowingmandatoryconditions:
1. Childcaremustbecarriedoutinstablegroups of10orfewer(stablemeansthatthesame10 orfewerchildrenareinthesamegroup each day).
2. Childrenshallnotchangefromonegroupto another.
3. Ifmorethanone group ofchildreniscaredfor atonefacility,eachgroupshallbeinaseparate room.Groupsshallnotmix witheachother.
4. Childcareprovidersshallremainsolelywith onegroupofchildren.
xxii. All businesses which possess a Class A, retail liquor package license; Class B, retail beer package license; or a Class C, retail wine package license shall be authorized, but only via drive-thru or in parking lots or at curb.
xxiii. Funeral homes, facilities, services operating under the following mandatory conditions:
1. Any indoor or covered facility or service shall not be open to the public and limited to employees only.
2.?Funeral services are limited to graveside funeral services with 10 or fewer immediate family members.
g. ForthepurposesofthisOrder,MinimumBasic Operationsincludethefollowing,providedthat employeescomplywithSocialDistancing RequirementsasdefinedinthisSectiontotheextent possible,whilecarryingoutsuchoperations:
i. Theminimumnecessaryactivitiestomaintainthe valueofthebusinesssinventory,ensuresecurity, processpayrollandemployeebenefits,orforrelated functions.
ii. Theminimumnecessaryactivitiestofacilitate employeesofthebusinessto beabletocontinueto workremotelyfromtheirresidences.
h. ForthepurposesofthisOrder, EssentialTravelincludestravelforanyofthefollowingpurposes.IndividualsengagedinanyEssentialTravelmust complywithallSocialDistancingRequirementsas definedinthisSectionbelow.
i. Anytravelrelatedtotheprovisionoforaccessto EssentialActivities,EssentialGovernmental Functions,EssentialBusinesses,orMinimumBasic Operations.
ii. Traveltocareforelderly,minors,dependents,personswithdisabilities,orothervulnerablepersons.
iii. Traveltoorfromeducationalinstitutionsfor purposesofreceivingmaterialsfordistancelearning,forreceivingmeals,andanyotherrelatedservices.
iiii. Traveltoreturntoaplaceofresidencefrom outsidethejurisdiction.
v. Travelrequiredbylawenforcementorcourtorder.
vi. Travelrequiredfornon-residentstoreturntotheir placeofresidenceoutsidetheCounty.Individualsare stronglyencouragedtoverifythattheirtransportation outoftheCountyremainsavailableandfunctional priortocommencingsuchtravel.
i. ForpurposesofthisOrder,residencesincludehotels,motels,sharedrentalunitsandsimilarfacilities.
j. ForpurposesofthisOrder,SocialDistancing Requirementsincludesmaintainingatleastsix-foot socialdistancingfromotherindividuals,washing handswithsoapandwaterfor atleasttwentyseconds asfrequentlyaspossibleorusinghandsanitizer,coveringcoughsorsneezes(intothesleeveorelbow,nothands),regularlycleaninghigh-touchsurfaces,and notshakinghands.
7. EnforcementandRemedies.
a. Individuals:Inrecognitionthat theHaralson County Board of Health, the local governments, and law enforcementdo not havethepersonnelorresourcesto monitor and policedistancingor gatheringlimitations or shelterin placerequirementsforallindividuals currentlylivingwithintheterritoriallimitsofthe County, all enforcement agencies areauthorizedto supportcompliancewiththisOrderthrough informationdeliveryandeducationofindividuals regardingtheimminentthreattopublichealthposed byCOVID-19.
b. CoveredBusinesses: AnyviolationsofthisOrderby coveredbusinessesor owners of covered business shallbe a misdemeanor as further provided for by O.C.G.A. § 31-5-8.
8. IfanyprovisionofthisOrderor theapplicationthereofto anypersonorcircumstanceisheldtobeinvalid,the remainderoftheOrder,includingtheapplicationofsuch partorprovisiontootherpersonsorcircumstances,shall notbeaffectedandshallcontinueinfullforceandeffect.Tothisend,theprovisionsofthisOrder
areseverable.
9. ?It is not the intent of this resolution to abrogate the terms of any county or municipal law, resolution, or ordinance of local application which authorize a governing body within the county to provide penalties for a violation of a valid rule and regulation of the county board of health.
10. ?This Order shall become effective following approval by the Haralson County Board of Health at 12:01 a.m., on March 26, 2020, and will continue to be in effect until 11:59 p.m., on April 12, 2020, or until it is extended, rescinded, superseded, or amended in writing by the Haralson County Board of Health.
11. ?Copies of this Order shall promptly be: (1) made available to the Haralson County Board of Commissioners, the governing authority of all the municipalities located in Haralson County, the Haralson County Sheriff, and all other local law enforcement agencies in Haralson County; (2) posted on the Haralson County Board of Healths website; and (3) provided to any member of the public requesting a copy of this Order.
