Coronavirus live updates: What to know about COVID-19 in Middle Georgia on March 21

As COVID-19 continues to impact local schools, business and governments, the Telegraph is working to keep our readers informed about decisions that will impact them. This list will be updated throughout the day. If there’s an item you believe should be included in this list, please email breaking@macon.com. Here is what you need to know about how the new coronavirus is affecting Middle Georgia:

City of Perry declares local state of emergency

The city of Perry is under a local state of emergency.

The unanimous action by city council allows Mayor Randall Walker to take “any administrative action deemed necessary” due to the COVID-19 outbreak without multiple hearings requiring council approval, the city posted on its Facebook page.

Such action could include a curfew if deemed warranted, according to the declaration.

“There are no plans to issue a city curfew unless directed by state and/or federal authorities,” the Facebook post said.

“We want to make it perfectly clear the City of Perry is open for business,” Walker said in the post. “Our services are modified to protect our citizens and our employees from the virus. The Perry business community is also open for business. We ask everyone to follow CDC guidelines and social distancing.”

Warner Robins mayor declares local state of emergency

Warner Robins Mayor Randy Toms declared a local state of emergency that prohibits gatherings of 10 or more people and urges its citizens to practice social distancing recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The state of emergency goes into effect Sunday at 12 p.m.

“Restaurants are encouraged to have alternate methods, such as: curb-side and or take out services for citizens,” according to a news release issued by the mayor’s office Saturday. “At this time, a curfew is not being put in place.”

Grocery stores, pharmacies, medical supply stores, hospitals, fueling centers and other places of necessity “are not a part of this declaration,” according to an email from the city’s public information officer.

Coronavirus impacts Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority

Starting Monday, you can ride Macon-Bibb County’s public buses for free. But riders will be required to submit to temperature checks if they board outside the the transfer station because of coronavirus concerns.

Other temporary measures include reduced service routes and closure of the Macon Bibb County Transit Authority’s transfer station to the public and locking of its restrooms. For more about the changes, read here.

Houston County limits public access to government buildings

Houston County will be limiting public access to buildings and facilities during regular business hours starting on Monday until April 3, the county government posted on its Facebook page.

The post includes a single-page list of affected departments and functions, along with locations and main telephone numbers.

The move was made out of “an abundance of caution” due to the county’s first case of COVID-19.

Bibb County School District modifies meal service

On Monday, Bibb County schools will deliver meals on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays instead of daily due to school closures and coronavirus concerns, the district posted on Facebook.

A list of sites of where the Bibb County School Nutrition Program will provide meal packages to students in the community can be found on the school district’s website, the Facebook post said.

Warner Robins police modify some daily operations

The public lobby of the Warner Robins Police Department has been closed in response to COVID-19, the agency posted on its Facebook page.

Police incident and accidents reports may be requested online. To make a police report, call 911. Non-emergency calls may be directed to a Teleserve officer.

Bonding and all other inquires should be made by calling the police department’s main number at 1-478-302-5378.

Georgia Department of Driver Services closes centers

The state Department of Driver Services has closed all of its 67 Customer Service Centers until April 1 due to coronavirus concerns, the agency posted on Facebook.

Customers are urged to consider using DDS Online Services or the DDS 2 GO app, the Facebook post said.

FIRST AREA COVID-19 CASES

Four cases were announced Thursday: One in Macon-Bibb, one in Peach and two in Laurens County. They followed the announcement Wednesday of Middle Georgia’s first case of the new coronavirus in Houston County. Saturday afternoon, Robins Air Force Base announced its first confirmed COVID-19 case: a civilian worker.

MORE MIDDLE GEORGIA COVID-19 CASES REPORTED

As of Saturday, total confirmed COVID-19 cases in Middle Georgia include:

▪ Houston 1

▪ Laurens 2

▪ Peach 2

▪ Bibb 1

▪ Monroe 1

▪ Baldwin 2

▪ Lamar 1

Georgia cases of COVID-19 climb

As of 7 p.m. Saturday, the Georgia Department of Public Health confirmed 555 cases of COVID-19 in the state, up 48 from noon Saturday. Twenty people have died from the novel coronavirus in Georgia.

This story was originally published March 21, 2020 at 9:00 AM.