Tuesday, March 24 Update

UPDATES: ACCGov Operations (March 23-28)

All Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCGov) departments and offices will operate under a modified closed workstations model the week of March 23-28.

Many non-emergency staff will telecommute remotely during the week in order to answer questions and provide services remotely over the phone or online. Other staff will work in shifts on alternating days and maintain social distancing. In most offices, residents will be able to speak with staff directly even though offices are closed.

Residents are encouraged to call departments and offices - a list of phone numbers is available through www.accgov.com/directory - or visit department webpages at www.accgov.com instead of visiting ACCGov offices to see if services or information will be unavailable and which services will be provided online and over the phone.

Solid Waste

• The Landfill will be closed on Saturday, March 28 and will reopen Monday, March 30 at 7:30 a.m.

• All Flixbus and Megabus intracity bus service to/from Athens has been canceled until further notice.

17 Positive Cases Confirmed in Athens-Clarke County

The state Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) case tracker (https://dph.georgia.gov/covid-19-daily-status-report) confirms 17 positive cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Athens-Clarke County as of 7:00 p.m. on March 23.

One individual, a 67 year old male, died in an Athens hospital and was a resident. In addition to testing positive for COVID-19, he had existing medical conditions.

Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes are at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 and should always consult their healthcare provider if they are sick. Long-term care facilities, nursing homes, and congregate living settings for older people must strictly follow COVID-19 prevention measures to stop rapid spread of the virus.

Reporting Gatherings/Businesses Not Following Ordinance Guidelines

There are two ways to report concerns about gatherings and businesses related to the declaration of a local emergency ordinance and the shelter-in-place and business requirements through the anonymous tip line.

Please include a short description of what the business is doing to violate the ordinance, and an address if you have it. 

By Text:

• Text the following (without quotes, but with the spaces) "Tip COVIDACC [message, business name and other details]" to 888777.
• You will receive a reply with a password to login and provide additional information or images if necessary.
• See below image for a test example.

By Web/Online:

A link is available on the coronavirus webpage at www.accgov.com/coronavirus or linked below.

In the evolving pandemic, the Mayor and Commission may modify allowances related to Essential Businesses by amending the Declaration. Even for Essential Businesses, compliance with the Social Distancing Requirements of the Declaration is required and expected.

“Businesses” includes for-profit, non-profit, and private educational institutions

Not Considered Essential Businesses

• Minimum Basic Operations only, meaning:
  • The minimum necessary activities to maintain the value of the business’ inventory, ensure security, process payroll and employee benefits, or for related functions.
  • The minimum necessary activities to facilitate employees of the business being able to continue to work remotely from their residences.

• Social distancing is required, meaning:
  • maintaining at least 6’ social distancing from other individuals,
  • washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds as frequently as possible or using hand sanitizer,
  • covering coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow, not hands),
  • regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces, and
  • not shaking hands.

• List of Businesses Considered Essential and Not Considered Essential - Regularly Updated
• Ongoing updates of business FAQs related to the ordinance
• Final approved ordinance

Shelter-in-Place Requirement for all Residents

• residents are required to shelter-in-place 24/7 aside from essential activities, essential governmental functions, or to operate essential businesses (which are defined in the ordinance);
• all public and private gatherings outside of a household or living unit, except for limited purposes, are prohibited;
• travel, except essential travel and essential activities, is prohibited;
• "social distancing" is required to the maximum extent possible when outdoors or using shared spaces, which includes
  • maintaining a six-foot distance from others,
  • washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds as frequently as possible or using hand sanitizer,
  • covering coughs and sneezes,
  • regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces, and
  • not shaking hands.

• Ongoing updates of resident FAQs related to the ordinance
• Final approved ordinance

Information Sources

The response to COVID-19 involves both rapid and extensive changes and also deliberate measures that take some time to consider.

Once official information is released from the Georgia Department of Public Health, the Northeast Georgia Health District, the State of Georgia government, or other local partners, we will report it on www.accgov.com/coronavirus and social media.

Additionally, this COVID-19 update newsletter will go out at least daily with new information primarily about the ACCGov response and plans. It may also include some local area information of note as space allows.