GA Coronavirus: Here's What's Open And Closed In Cobb County

COBB COUNTY, GA — Concerns of the new coronavirus, or COVID-19, spreading has set in motion cities implementing bans, shoppers clearing off shelves and businesses taking extra precaution. Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms issued a state of emergency for the city Sunday night, updating the the ban Monday to gatherings of more than 50 people. It'll run through the end of the month. On Saturday Gov. Brian Kemp signed Georgia's first public health emergency declaration. Stores in metro Atlanta are limiting select items for purchase and big events are getting canceled.

Here's a list of what's open and closed in Cobb County.

Schools: Cobb County schools are closed. Students are participating in Digital Learning Days.

Libraries: All Cobb County libraries are closed until further notice, although digital services will still be available.

Rec centers: Closed

Government: Cobb County's administration building will be closed.

• Most public lobbies will close, and departments that take payments from the public will make arrangements to accept those payments by other methods.
• Lobbies that must stay open will limit access to indoor spaces and require a six-foot buffer between employees and other patrons.
• Cobb County’s administration building at 100 Cherokee St. will be closed to the public with access by essential employees only.
• Cobb County courthouses will remain open to handle essential matters to ensure due process and to protect our community.

Court: Judge Reuben Green issued an order declaring a "Judicial Emergency" and ordering a halt to jury trials for 30 days. That means no jurors will have to appear in the courthouse and other civil and non-judicial matters to be limited.

• Most Magistrate Court cases are also suspended, but Chief Judge Brendan Murphy says crucial court business will continue.
• Probate Court to Remain open
• State Court will Remain open

Post Office: Post offices in Cobb County are still open. The US Postal Service is closely monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and continues to follow strategies and measures recommended by the CDC and public health departments. There is a temporary suspension of the guarantee on Priority Mail Express International destined for China and Hong Kong. Customers may see delays in mail and packages destined to China as well as from China.

CobbLinc: CobbLinc announced Sunday that the transit system is taking extra precautions and providing enhanced guidelines for bus cleaning to minimize passenger and employee exposure risk to COVID-19.

“Our operators are in contact with the public so it is important that we take steps both internally and externally to do what we can to minimize the risk for everyone,” said Andrea Foard, Transit Division Manager.

Some of the steps CobbLinc is currently taking include:

• Sharing Coronavirus prevention information with each bus operator and holding internal educational meetings
• Posting Coronavirus information flyers and fact sheets on staff bulletin boards, bus operator message boards, and common areas in the CobbLinc administration buildings
• Sharing information with county employees, contractor employees, and bus operators regarding Coronavirus awareness and prevention as provided by the FTA and Cobb Douglas Public Health Department
• Providing Lysol wipes and spray to staff to disinfect common areas and high-touch surfaces
• Providing bus operators with hand sanitizer to use when soap and water are not readily available
• Establishing new cleaning protocols and additional measures to disinfect the interior of buses more frequently
• Daily cleanings of equipment, high touch areas and or high foot traffic areas using products promoted to eliminate 99.9 % of germs and daily inspections of the buses

Voting: The March 24 Presidential Preference Primary has been rescheduled for May 19. Early in-person voting for the May Primary is scheduled to begin on April 27.

Gym: Planet Fitness is open, L.A. Fitness is closed.

Planet Fitness shared this statement Monday with Patch:

“At Planet Fitness, the health of our members, team members and neighbors is our top priority. We are committed to providing a clean and welcoming workout environment, and we have extensive cleanliness policies and procedures in place. Team members conduct regular and thorough cleaning of all equipment, surfaces, and areas of the club and gym floor using disinfectant cleaning supplies. In addition, they regularly complete overnight cleaning of the club. We continue to closely monitor the situation as it evolves and are following guidance from health authorities and government officials.”

L.A. Fitness announced Monday night its temporarily closing until April 1.

Globally, more than 174,000 people have been infected and more than 6,700 people have died from the COVID-19, Johns Hopkins reported Monday morning. Of that total, more than 80,000 confirmed cases are in China, while the entire United States has 3,813 confirmed cases as of Monday. Forty-two deaths in the U.S. have been tied to the virus outbreak.

Related:

• Coronavirus School Closings In Georgia: List
• Chick-Fil-A Closes All Dining Rooms To Prevent Coronavirus Risk
• Interactive Map: Latest U.S. Coronavirus Cases

Read More:

• CVS Waiving Delivery Fees For Meds: Locations In Atlanta
• GA Coronavirus: Here's What Colleges Are Telling Students
• GA Coronavirus: ATL Mayor Bans Large Gatherings Of 250 People