East Point keeps some businesses closed for extra week
Closures one of several measures city put in place to battle coronavirus
The City of East Point kept non-essential businesses closed on Monday, extending a 7-day shutdown by another week in its continuing effort to help fight the coronavirus pandemic.
The order mandating the closure of non-essential businesses across the city was to set to expire Monday at midnight. Now, it will be extended until April 7 at 11:59 p.m.
The council quickly and unanimously approved the extension of the emergency ordinance on Monday. It also approved extending the April 1 deadline for filing for homestead exemptions. That ordinance leaves it to City Manager Frederick Gardiner to set a new deadline.
The actions on Monday are the latest by the council to address the coronavirus pandemic, which continues to grow across Georgia. Some 3,032 cases have been confirmed in the state, along with 773 hospitalizations and 102 deaths, according to statistics released Monday by the Georgia Department of Public Health. Fulton County leads the state in coronavirus infections with 463 cases. Its 14 deaths are second only to Dougherty County.
Since the pandemic hit Georgia, the East Point City Council has taken several steps to help combat it:
Ordered city residents to remain in their homes “to the maximum extent possible,” with exceptions for essential activities and exercise, until April 7.
Imposed a curfew on residents and businesses – except pharmacies, hotels and healthcare providers – from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. The residential curfew ends April 7.
Closed non-essential businesses through April 7. (See the city’s list of essential businesses below.)
Banned in-person dining in restaurants and bars and limited operations to takeout and delivery until April 15.
Put in a place a moratorium on permits for public events that involve the gathering of more than the number of people recommended by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention until April 15.
Suspended utility service disconnections for nonpayment.
Closed city facilities to the public, limited Municipal Court operations and canceled public meetings.
The council is likely to revisit the emergency ordinances during its regularly scheduled meeting on April 6. The meeting on Monday was the second that took place virtually and broadcast through Zoom and Facebook.
Here’s how the city’s emergency ordinances define essential businesses:
Daycare facilities
Food
Grocery stores
Food banks
Outdoor farmers markets
Businesses that provide food, shelter, social services and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged people.
Gas stations
Banks and financial institutions
Hotels
Hardware stores and nurseries
Plumbers and electricians
Exterminators
Custodial/janitorial workers
Handyman services
Funeral homes and morticians
Moving services
HVAC installers
Carpenters
Landscapers
Gardeners
Property managers
Private Security personnel
Healthcare providers and facilities
Transportation services
Residential facilities
Warehouses and distribution centers
City and county government services
Laundromats/laundry service
Media services (newspapers, magazines, television, radio, podcasts, etc.)
Educational institutions