Coronavirus live updates: What to know about COVID-19 in Middle Georgia on March 24
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 novel coronavirus is affecting Middle Georgia:
Bibb County under emergency declaration
Macon-Bibb Mayor Robert Reichert declared a state of emergency at his Monday press conference and ordered restaurants, bars and some other businesses to close. Here are the businesses and facilities that have to close or modify their operations to limit human contact:
- Restaurants (can still provide curbside, to-go, drive-through and delivery service)
- Bars, taverns, pool halls
- Salons, barber shops, tanning salons
- Gyms
- Bowling alleys
- Concert venues
- Movie theaters
- Tattoo parlors
Some retail facilities can remain open, as long as they take steps to ensure no more than 10 people are gathered and that they maintain six feet of separation. Essential businesses will also stay open. Here are the types of businesses that can remain open during the emergency declaration:
- Grocery stores
- Pharmacies
- Childcare and adult care facilities
- Residential buildings (i.e. apartment buildings)
- Transportation facilities like bus stops and airports
- Retail and establishments that can limit the number of customers and staff on the premises and limit contact
- Professional services like attorneys, insurance agents and accountants
Two Bibb County employees tested positive for COVID-19
Monday, Bibb County School District said it learned that two employees had tested positive for COVID-19. One individual works at Ballard-Hudson Middle School and the other at Southwest High School. Schools have been closed since March 16, and the district said it was going to “deep clean” all of its buildings.
Governor order vulnerable Georgians to shelter in place
At a Monday evening press conference, Gov. Brian Kemp announced an executive order requiring Georgians vulnerable to COVID-19 to shelter in place and prohibiting meetings of more than 10 people unless they’re able to maintain a distance of six feet from each other. Here’s more.
Number of COVID-19 cases in Georgia reported
The Georgia Department of Public Health is updating state COVID-19 cases twice a day: at noon and at 7 p.m. The updates are a running tally of the number of positive tests and the number of deaths related to the new coronavirus. The update does not include the number of Georgians who have recovered.
The state is releasing county totals based on the individual’s address, not where they were tested or are being treated. Some patients don’t have a county of resident, or their personal information has not been added to the state’s database. Those individuals are reflected in the “unknown” category.
Monroe County extends shutdown of schools
Monroe County Schools will remain closed through Friday, April 3. The district will be closed for scheduled spring break April 6 through the 10th..
This story was originally published March 24, 2020 at 9:18 AM.