Details of the Mandatory Shelter in Place Ordinance in Athens-Clarke County

The Athens-Clarke County Police Department has released details of the Mandatory Shelter in Place Ordinance that was passed during last night’s emergency meeting of the Athens-Clarke County Commissioners.

Full release from the ACCPD:

The Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission voted unanimously to approve a new ordinance that makes sheltering in place mandatory for all of our residents with certain exceptions.

Among the exceptions are:

• To travel to work or school to obtain supplies/materials

• To obtain necessary supplies or medicines for your health or safety

• For outdoor exercise (as long as you abide by social distancing guidelines)

• To care for family members or pets

• To return home from outside of the county

• If you are ordered to be out by a police officer or judicial officer

Many businesses must close to the public, but many types are allowed to stay open. Among those are:

• Farms

• Healthcare providers and facilities

• Retail businesses that sell food, like grocery and convenience stores

• Restaurants may be open for drive through and carry out only

• Social Services and Homeless Shelters

• Gas Stations and car repair/parts stores, hardware stores

• Service providers like plumbers and electricians

• Post offices and Shipping providers

• Laundromats and dry cleaners

• Transportation providers

• Legal services, accountants and realty companies

This list is not exhaustive, so please refer to www.accgov.com/coronavirus for the full text of the ordinance. Shortly, there will be an FAQ section and a hotline number posted on that site related to the ordinance and its provisions.

The ACCPD knows that many are concerned about the form that enforcement related to this Ordinance will take. The ordinance lays out that the Police Department’s role is one of engagement and education of our residents, rather than by citation or arrest.