Oconee County Board Of Commissioners Extend Local Emergency Order Until April 26

Press release from the Oconee County Government:

March 31, 2020

The Oconee County Board of Commissioners is extending the Local Emergency Order currently in effect through midnight, Sunday, April 26, 2020, in order to reduce possible transmission of Coronavirus (COVID-19). During this state of emergency under this order:

• Restaurants and other eating establishments within Oconee County will cease offering dine-in and/or outdoor/patio service, and may continue to prepare and offer food to customers through delivery, takeout, and/or drive-thru service only. This is in accordance with guidance provided by the Department of Public Health: https://www.oconeecounty.com/DocumentCenter/View/9985/COVID-19-Guidance-for-Restaurants_3232020-.
• All persons ordered by the Department of Public Health to isolate, quarantine, or shelter in place within their homes or place of residence shall comply with such executive order or administrative order. In accordance with the Governor’s executive order, the following populations are specifically included: residents of nursing homes or long-term care facilities, those with chronic lung disease, individuals undergoing cancer treatment, those with confirmed or suspected cases of Coronavirus, or those who have had contact with an individual diagnosed with Coronavirus.
• No business, establishment, corporation, non-profit, or organization shall allow more than ten people to be gathered at a single location, unless individuals can maintain six feet of separation at all times. This applies to all businesses and organizations, including gyms.
• All residents of Oconee County are strongly urged to remain at home unless they are engaged in necessary and vital business. We encourage all citizens to follow CDC and national taskforce recommendations on limiting groups to no more than ten people, maintaining at least six feet of separation and utilizing drive-through, pick-up, or delivery options for food.

All Oconee County Government buildings, including the Oconee County Courthouse and Annex, will remain closed to the public through April 26. All emergency services will continue to function, and non-emergency staff service is available via phone, email, and the county website.

During this time, Oconee County Government will continue to provide essential public safety, emergency response, and water and sewer services. In addition, the Clerk of Courts office will remain accessible to the public. Individuals who need to visit the Clerk of Courts office should call ahead to 706-769-3940. Upon arrival at the courthouse, individuals who have called ahead may call the Clerk of Courts office from their cell phone, and a deputy will admit them.

The public may continue to conduct county business through the website or by calling or emailing county staff. Contact information for staff and departments is available on the website. For updates on Oconee County’s response to COVID-19, please visit www.oconeecounty.com/coronavirus.

The following contact information and direct links for common transactions may be helpful:

Oconee County Website: www.oconeecounty.com

Clerk of Courts
• Telephone: 706-769-3940

Finance Department
• Telephone: 706-769-2944
• Email: financedept@oconee.ga.us

Planning & Code Enforcement
• Telephone: 706-769-3910 (Planning)
• Email: druark@oconee.ga.us (Planning)
• Telephone: 706-769-3907 (Permitting)
• Email: esmith@oconee.ga.us (Permitting)

Property Appraisal
• Telephone: 706-769-3921

Tax Commissioner
• Telephone: 706-769-3917
• Renew vehicle registration: https://eservices.drives.ga.gov/_/
• Pay property taxes: https://oconeecountyga.governmentwindow.com/tax.html
• Drop box is available for payments outside the Oconee County Courthouse

Water Resources
• Telephone: 706-769-3960
• Pay water online bill: https://www.oconeecounty.com/498/View-andor-Pay-your-Bill
• Drop box is available for payments outside the Oconee County Government Annex
• In response to the emerging COVID-19 situation, the Water Resources Department is temporarily halting the disconnection of water service for non-payment

Traffic Tickets
• Pay traffic tickets¬: https://www.ezcourtpay.com/Tix/Default.aspx

Emergency Notifications
• Sign up for CodeRED notifications: https://tinyurl.com/oconeega

Please remember to take the following steps to prevent virus transmission:

• 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
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow or use a tissue to cover it, then throw the tissue in the trash
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces

For more information about Coronavirus, visit the Georgia Department of Public Health at https://dph.georgia.gov and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html.

This press release was produced by the Oconee County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.