Coronavirus: Decatur Mayor Issues Stay At Home Order

DECATUR, GA — Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett issued an Emergency 14-day Stay At Home Order Tuesday night to slow the spread of the coronavirus. It’s expected to lift April 7 at 11:59 p.m., unless extended further or rescinded.

On Monday, Decatur issued a ban of gatherings of more than 50 people.

The mayor says the number of COVID-19 cases officially reported in DeKalb County has increased exponentially and is expected to continue to do so if significant measures are not taken immediately.

“I believe that this unprecedented action is necessary to slow the spread of the virus and save lives,” Garrett said in a statement. “For that reason, I implore our residents to take the order seriously. I am confident that if we work together our efforts will make a positive difference in our battle against this disease.”

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Other cities such as Atlanta have issued its own stay-at-home order and banned gatherings.

In Decatur, the Order directs that individuals living within the city may leave their residences only for:
1) Essential activities
2) Essential governmental functions to operate essential businesses

When individuals are using shared or outdoor spaces, they must maintain social distancing of at least six feet from other people when they are outside their residence.

The definition of essential businesses may be found in the Order and include businesses and activities related to health and safety including the delivery of those services and supplies to others such as food, medicine, and products essential to the operation of residences as one example.

Examples of essential businesses include grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, gas stations, auto supply and repair, and restaurants offering to-go orders only.

New numbers announced Wednesday afternoon show that nearly 400 Georgians are hospitalized, 40 have died, and 1,247 have been infected with coronavirus, the Georgia Department of Public Health said.

Of those numbers, 60 percent are between 18-59-years-old, and those above the age of 60 make up 35 percent.

Fulton County has the most cases in the state with 198, followed by DeKalb with 116.

Globally, more than 438,000 people have been infected and more than 19,000 people have died from the new coronavirus, Johns Hopkins reported Wednesday. Of that total, more than 55,000 confirmed cases were in the United States, with more than 800 U.S. deaths tied to the virus outbreak.

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