ATLANTA — Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms issued a two-week stay-at-home order on Tuesday, effectively shutting down the city until April 7.
However, the order carves out a number of exemptions for essential businesses and services that the city considers necessary for home life to function.
Here are those exemptions:
- Healthcare: It outlines "healthcare operations" to include "hospitals, clinics, dentists, pharmacies, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, other healthcare facilities, healthcare suppliers, home healthcare service providers, mental health providers" as well as veterinary/animal care and "home-based care" or "residential facilities and shelters" for seniors, adults or children, including childcare facilities. It specifically does not include fitness and gym facilities.
- Infrastructure: Types of work include the operation and maintenance "public works construction, airport operations, utility, water, sewer, gas, electrical, oil refining, roads and highways, railroads, public transportation, taxi/rideshare, solid waste collection and removal, internet, and telecommunications systems."
- Emergency: Including "all first responders, emergency management personnel, emergency dispatchers, court personnel, and law enforcement personnel."
- Food: The order lists "grocery stores, farmers' markets, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, food banks, convenience stores, and other establishments engaged in the retail sale of canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supply, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, and any other household consumer products (such as cleaning and personal care products.)" It also includes "food cultivation, including farming, livestock and fishing" and businesses that "ship or deliver groceries, food, goods or services directly to residences."
- Charity: Defined as "businesses that provide food, shelter, and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals."
- Media: Defined as "newspapers, television, radio and other media services."
- Gas stations: Also including "auto-supply, auto-repair and related facilities."
- Banks: Also including "related financial institutions."
- Hardware stores and home services: Including "plumbers, electricians, exterminators and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation and essential operations of residences."
- "Lodging businesses": Including places like hotels, motels and conference centers.
- Mailing and shipping stores
- Office supply stores: Defined as "businesses that supply products needed for people to work from home" or that "supply other essential businesses with the support or supplies necessary to operate."
- "Professional services": Including "legal or accounting services."
- Educational institutions: Only for "purposes of facilitating distance learning or performing essential functions."
- Restaurants: Only for "delivery or carry out."
MORE CORONAVIRUS HEADLINES