Today Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners and all of county’s 16 cities issued a stay-at-home order for their respective jurisdictions, including the city of Peachtree Corners. This action was taken to slow the spread of COVID-19 and to help the community’s capacity to provide essential governmental and health care services.
Residents may leave their homes to conduct activities that are essential to their own health and safety and that of family/household members, partners, significant others, and pets. Essential activities include, but are not limited to, obtaining food, medication and medical supplies, household consumer supplies and health care services or caring for a family member or pet in another household. It is also permissible to engage in outdoor activities, like walking, hiking, running or bicycling, as long as individuals comply with social distancing requirements.
The local emergency order also mandates all businesses that operate in Gwinnett County to cease all activity except for the minimum necessary activities to maintain the value of the business’ inventory, ensure security, process payroll and employee benefits, and related functions. This directive applies to for-profit, nonprofit or private educational entities; it excludes essential businesses. Businesses consisting exclusively of employees or contractors who work from home may continue to operate.
All essential businesses are strongly encouraged to remain open while adhering to social distancing requirements. Such businesses include health care, grocery stores; certified farmer’s markets; organizations that provide food, shelter and social services to those in need; news agencies; gas stations, auto supply and auto repair shops; banks; and restaurants that offer delivery, takeout or drive-thru service. For a complete list, please refer to the order.
Individuals who work to provide essential services or essential products may leave their places of residence to carry out these activities.
The order also makes exceptions for essential governmental functions and essential infrastructure, meaning public works construction, private construction and related activities, utilities, telecommunications and solid waste services. First responders, emergency management personnel, 911 dispatchers, court personnel, law enforcement personnel and others who perform essential services, such as healthcare workers, are exempt from the order.
This local emergency order will be in effect from 12:01 a.m. on March 28, 2020, through 11:59 p.m. on April 13, 2020, or until it is extended, rescinded, superseded or amended in writing by the Peachtree Corners Mayor and Council.
