Henry County adopts Safer-at-Home Ordinance

Photo of interstate message board advising about Coronavirus (Clayton News photo / Robin Kemp)
Photo of I-75 message sign (Clayton News Daily photo / Robin Kemp)
Clayton News Daily photo / Robin Kemp

The Henry County BOC has voted 6-0 to adopt a safer-at-home ordinance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ordinance, prepared in collaboration with the four cities, states all county residents should stay at their place of residence unless completing one of the tasks described below.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has issued a statewide shelter-in-place. The governor’s order supersedes all local ordinances. Please visit the Henry Daily Herald for more information.

Exemptions to the Ordinance

Trips for the following purposes are exempt from the stay at home order:

  • Activities essential to health & safety, including visits to a health care provider or a pharmacy.
  • Obtain necessary services or supplies such as purchasing food, pet supplies, household consumer products, and products to maintain a residence.
  • Engage in outdoor activity, provided they comply with social distancing requirements.
  • Perform work related to an essential business, infrastructure, public safety and first responders, or to provide upkeep at closed businesses.
  • Care for a family member or pet in another household.

Essential Businesses encouraged to remain open

Many businesses have been characterized as either essential or non-essential in recent weeks, a term generally not heard prior to the outbreak of COVID-19. All businesses within the county, except those defined as essential, are to close.

Essential businesses include the places listed below.

  • Healthcare operations and essential infrastructure (transportation and public works)
  • Grocery stores, produce stands, supermarkets, food banks, convenience stores, and pet supply stores
  • Package stores
  • Farms and food cultivation
  • Businesses that provide food, shelter, or social services
  • Newspapers, television, radio, and other media services
  • Gas stations, auto-supply, and auto-repair facilities
  • Banks and related financial institutions
  • Hardware stores
  • Plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers
  • Educational institutions, except when closed by the governor
  • Mailing, shipping, and delivery services
  • Laundromats, dry cleaners, and laundry service providers
  • Restaurants, limited to delivery or carry-out
  • Office supply stores and other businesses that support working from home
  • Manufactures or suppliers of products sold by essential businesses
  • Private transportation providers
  • Home-based care
  • Residential facilities including hotels and motels
  • Childcare facilities providing services that enable essential employees to work
  • Professional services
  • Repair or construction work for residences and businesses
  • Road construction, maintenance, and repair
  • Industrial manufacturers

Places of Worship / Funeral Services

The ordinance does not apply to places of worship. Churches and other houses of worship are encouraged to conduct “drive-in” services, utilize social media, and other alternative means to broadcast services. For in-person services, funerals and graveside services, reasonable steps should be taken to follow “Social Distancing.”

Enforcement and Duration

Penalty provisions for individuals are not included. Henry County will support compliance through information delivery and education about the threat to public health imposed by COVID-19. Businesses that violate the ordinance may be cited by officers for a code violation.

The ordinance becomes effective at 12:01 am on April 2 and will remain in effect until 11:59 pm on April 21, or until it is otherwise extended, rescinded, superseded, or amended in writing by the board of commissioners.

Henry County residents may visit https://www.co.henry.ga.us/Residents/COVID-19 for the most recent information regarding the county government, closures and cancellations, and health resources during the Coronavirus pandemic.

About Clayton 1429 Articles
Clayton Carte is the founder and owner of MHF News. He founded the site in 2017 to highlight transportation projects. Over time, he began covering other topics like new development so residents can best know what’s happening in our community.

1 Comment

  1. I think that we all need a total lockdown due to other people going about their lives like its no big deal and doing everything that they want to do regardless who it effects or hurts !!

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