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EXECUTIVE ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

OF SCHLEY COUNTY, GEORGIA AND THE CITY OF

ELLAVILLE MAYOR AND COUNCIL RELATED TO EMERGENCY RESPONSES TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

WHEREAS, on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared Coronavirus (now designated “COVID-19”) as a pandemic and encourages all countries to take urgent and aggressive action to reduce or stop the rapid spread of such virus; and

WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the President of the United States declared a National Health Emergency regarding COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, on March 14, 2020, Governor Brian Kemp of the State of Georgia declared a Public Health State of Emergency regarding COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, COVID-19 has caused or contributed to numerous deaths in the surrounding counties and numerous persons having been infected with the virus, some of which appears to have been caused by people attending public gatherings where people either carrying the virus or already infected by the virus were in attendance; and

WHEREAS, numerous individuals have been tested for COVID-19 in the surrounding counties area and are awaiting the results of those tests; and

WHEREAS, medical professionals have determined COVID-19 is easily transmitted from person to person; and

WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of Georgia has ordered all K-12 schools to close at least through the end of March, 2020; and

WHEREAS, health experts have encouraged elderly citizens to remain in their residences, businesses to allow employees to work remotely when possible, and all citizens to maintain a distance of six (6) feet from others when possible and to avoid gatherings of more than ten (10) persons; and

WHEREAS, Medical professionals have encouraged Schley County to take aggressive steps to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus; and

WHEREAS, Schley County has an Emergency Management Ordinance codified in Chapter 26 of the Code of Ordinances of Schley County: and

WHEREAS, the declaration of State-wide emergency by the Governor has activated the Local Emergency Operations Plan pursuant to Section 26-2(a)(4) of the Emergency Management Ordinance; and

WHEREAS, the Schley County Emergency Management Agency Director has requested the Schley County Board of Commissioners and the Ellaville City Council take action to comply with recommendations from Federal and State officials regarding limitations of meetings where groups of people may congregate and spread the virus from person to person; and

WHEREAS, it is deemed appropriate by both the Board of Commissioner’s of Schley County, the Ellaville City Council, and the Schley County Emergency Management Director to take action deemed necessary or appropriate to reduce the possibility of exposure to COVID-19, control the risk to persons regarding COVID 19, promote health and to take additional health measures that prevent or reduce the likelihood of the spread of the virus; and

WHEREAS, the Schley County Board of Commissioners, Ellaville City Council, and the Schley County Emergency Management Director have determined that it is appropriate to issue this Executive Order under authority of Chapter 26 of the Schley County Code of Ordinances relating to Emergency Management,

NOW THEREFORE. it is ordered under the Georgia Emergency Management Act of 1981, Chapter 26 of the Code of Ordinances of Schley County relating to Emergency Management, and the authority granted to the Board of Commissioners of Schley County, Ellaville City Council, and the Schley County Emergency Management Director as follows:

That a Local State of Disaster and Public Health Emergency is hereby declared by the Schley County Board of Commissioners, Ellaville City Council and the Schley County Emergency Management Director

That the Public Health Emergency shall commence effective at 12:00 a.m. on Monday, March 23, 2020 and shall continue until further notice.

During the course of the Public Health Emergency, the following shall be applicable;

Public or private gatherings of more than ten (10) persons are prohibited anywhere in Schley County for the duration of this Executive Order. For the purposes of this Order, a “gathering” is any indoor event which brings together or is likely to bring together, ten (10) or more persons at the same time in a single room or other single confined or enclosed space. Churches are encouraged to adhere to these guidelines in the interest of safety.

A mandatory curfew shall be effective between the hours of 9 p.m. -6am. during which all persons within the county shall remain at home. A curfew shall not apply to anyone performing emergency or first responder services, essential government services, law enforcement services, rescue services, safety services, health services, essential utility services or military services. A curfew shall not apply to anyone traveling to and from or engaging in lawful employment.

Any violation of this Executive Order shall be a misdemeanor, punishment pursuant to Section 1-11 of the Code of Ordinances of Schley County. The Sheriff of Schley County and or the Chief of Police of Ellaville, GA or his lawful officers and deputies, shall be authorized to enforce this Order.

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This Executive Order is authorized pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 38-3-28(a) and pursuant to Chapter 26 of the Code of Ordinances of Schley County and shall be effective commencing at 12:00 a.m. on Monday, March 23, 2020, and shall continue until further notice.

This Executive Order was entered with due consideration with the orders, rules, and regulations, actions, recommendations and requests of Federal and State authorities relevant thereto and to the extent permitted by law and shall be consistent with such orders, rules, and regulations, actions, recommendations and requests, all in accord with the provisions of O.C.G.A. § 38-3-28(c).

SO DECLARED AND RESOLVED, this 23rd day of March, 2020 at 10:36 o’clock a.m.

SCHLEY COUNTY, GEORGIA

CITY OF ELLAVILLE, GEORGIA

By:

Greg Barineau, Chairman Board of Commissioners

Leah Ellis Clark, Mayor

Bill Sawyer, County Manager

Lynne McChargue, City Manager

Attest: Kathy Bruer, County Clerk