DUNWOODY — The city of Dunwoody joins the growing number of Georgia cities ordering residents to shelter in place. The order begins at midnight Sunday and will be in effect at least through April 15.
“This is our strongest statement yet in demonstrating how important it is that we work together to help limit the spread of COVID-19,” said Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch. “The vast majority of our residents and businesses are already doing exactly what’s in this order to protect their families and neighbors, but we want to be clearer about what’s expected.”
So far, DeKalb County has had 240 confirmed coronavirus cases and two deaths.
The order requires people to “remain at their place of residence” but allows for outdoor activity, like walking, running and bicycling, as long as they “maintain social distancing of at least six feet” from those outside of their family or household.
Residents may also leave their homes for the following essential activities:
- To go to work at any business allowed to remain open.
- To engage in activities essential to their health and safety, or to the health and safety of their family or household members or partners or significant others (including, but not limited to, pets). This includes obtaining medical supplies or medication, visiting a health care professional, or obtaining supplies they need to work from home.
- To obtain necessary services, supplies or food for themselves and their family or household members, or to deliver those services or supplies to others. This includes groceries, pet supplies, household products and products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences.
- To care for a family member or pet in another household.
“Please do not be alarmed by this,” Deutsch said. “You can continue to pick up dinner and go to the grocery store, pharmacy and hardware store. I want to encourage everyone to buy normal quantities of toilet paper, milk and medicine to help ensure that there is enough for everyone.”
This order includes exceptions for people working in essential government services: all first responders, emergency management personnel, emergency dispatchers, court personnel, law enforcement personnel, essential critical infrastructure workers as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, and others who need to perform essential services.
The Dunwoody City Council has also taken additional measures in response to COVID-19. The City’s emergency ordinance requires the temporary closure of dine-in eating, the temporary closure of salons and massage businesses, and the temporary closure of gyms and sports clubs. The ordinance also prohibits gatherings of 10 people or more, with some limited exceptions
Any business allowed to remain open is required take the necessary steps to reduce in-person contact and maintain a distance of 6 feet between individuals while in the establishment.
The shelter-in-place order urges people at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and people who are sick to stay in their residence to the extent possible, except as necessary to seek medical care. In addition, individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19, suspect they have COVID-19 based on symptoms or know of an exposure to someone with COVID-19 are required by the Georgia Department of Public Health to isolate or quarantine themselves at home.
Here’s a link to a page of questions and answers about this order.
For more information on the City of Dunwoody’s response to COVID-19, visit dunwoodgyga.gov/COVID19, which also includes links to health information from the CDC and Georgia Department of Public Health.
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