ATLANTA — Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms issued an order for residents to stay home effective midnight Tuesday, March 24 for 14 consecutive days to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The order means that Atlanta residents must stay inside unless they need to take care of a medical-related issue, need to go to the grocery store or need to exercise outdoors.
The order also means that all residents must stay at home and all non-essential businesses must close in-person operations.
You may be wondering what businesses will remain open and which will close under this order. Healthcare operations, critical infrastructure and some retail are considered essential. Here's a breakdown of what can stay open during the order:
- Hospitals
- Pharmacies
- Veterinary care
- Dentists
- Mental health providers
- Clinics
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Grocery stores and supermarkets
- Farmers' markets
- Food banks
- Convenience stores
- Liquor stores
- Other establishments that sell canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supplies, fresh meats, fish poultry and other household products such as cleaning and personal care products
- Farms and other establishments that fish and raise livestock to sell
- Businesses that provide food, shelter and social services to the needy
- News media, such as 11Alive
- Gas stations
- Auto supply and auto repair shops
- Banks and related financial institutions
- Hardware and supply stores
- Critical trades such as plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other services that maintain safety, sanitation and essential operation of residences
- Infrastructures such as electricity gas, water, wastewater and other public works
- Mail and delivery services, including post office boxes
- Laundromats, dry cleaners and laundry service providers
- Restaurants and other facilities that prepare and serve food as long as customers can only order delivery and takeout
- Food delivery services
- Businesses that supply products for those who work from home
- Businesses that supply computers, video and audio electronics, microelectronics, semiconductors, hardware, paint, electrical and plumbing material, sanitary equipment and medical equipment
- Transportation such as aircraft, taxis and other private providers such as Uber and Lyft
- Home-based care and services, which includes caregivers who take care of seniors, adults and children
- Residential facilities and shelters for seniors, adults, children and animals
- Professional services such as legal or accounting services, insurance services and real estate services
- Information technology services
- Moving supply services
- Hotels and motels
- Funeral, mortuary, cremation, burial, cemetery and other funeral-related services, as long as social distancing can take place
- Educational institutions, including public and private K-12 schools, colleges and universities
- Childcare facilities
- Parks, trails and the Atlanta BeltLine
All gyms, bars, clubs, were previously mandated to be closed.
In a Tweet on Monday, Bottoms said this: "Thank you @BrianKempGA for the updated state guidelines. Based upon our density & specific needs/concerns in Atlanta, I’ve signed a 14 day Stay at Home Order. As of now, this does not include essential businesses, parks, @AtlantaBeltLine & restaurants serving takeout."
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