Oconee County Solid Waste Collection Employees Under Quarantine Due To Possible COVID-19

From the Oconee County Government:

March 18, 2020

Out of an abundance of caution, the personnel operating the Oconee County solid waste collection sites have been placed under quarantine due to possible contact with COVID-19. These employees are not exhibiting any symptoms; however, we recommend following CDC interim guidance of self-quarantine for two weeks for all who have visited the Macon Highway Collection and Recycling Site (former landfill) or the Mars Hill Collection/Jimmy Daniel Site since Wednesday, March 11. This recommendation arises from an abundance of caution regarding the rapidly spreading nature of COVID-19.

All collection sites are temporarily closed. Both the Macon Highway and Mars Hills/Jimmy Daniel Collection sites will be closed until April 1. All sites will undergo deep cleaning and sanitization. Staff is developing plans to allow for passive continued use of the sites for solid waste disposal.

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.