NORCROSS — Residents in the city of Norcross who weren’t staying home already due to the coronavirus pandemic are now officially ordered to stay home by their local government.
At last night’s special called council meeting, the City of Norcross adopted a “Stay at Home” order effective from 11:59 p.m. Monday, March 30 through 11:59 p.m. Monday, April 27, unless the order is extended. Joining similar orders issued Friday by Gwinnett County and its 15 other cities, the “Stay at Home” order urges citizens to limit movements outside of their homes beyond essential needs.
Officials from each government, who have been in constant communications since the beginning of this crisis, agreed Friday to adopt this ordinance in concert with one another in order to ensure maximum effectiveness in the mission to slow the spread of COVID-19 and preserve the community’s capacity to provide essential governmental and healthcare services.
The City of Norcross was among those to agree, though official acceptance of the order pended formal approval by the city’s mayor and council at Monday night’s special called meeting.
“While likely not a surprise,” stated Mayor Craig Newton, “there is an unfortunate increase in COVID-19 diagnosed tests in our county. Our municipality, in concert with all Gwinnett cities and the county, recognize that additional steps are required to “flatten the curve” in our community. We hope you will take courage from our commitment to lessening the spread of the virus, and have faith that—if we all can do our part—we will be on the other side of this soon enough.”
Gwinnett County has 233 cases of coronavirus as of noon Tuesday and two people in the county have died from the virus.
According to the order:
RESIDENTS SHALL NOT
- Leave their place of residence except for Essential Activities, Essential Government Functions or to operate Essential Businesses as defined in the order
- Hold public or private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a household or living unit
- Travel except to perform Essential Activities, Essential Government Functions or to operate Essential Businesses as defined in the order
Residents are encouraged to check with their employer to determine if they have been deemed an Essential Business.
RESIDENTS MAY LEAVE THEIR PLACE OF RESIDENCE ONLY TO
- Obtain medical supplies or medication, or obtain supplies needed to work from home
- Obtain food, including take-out and drive-thru, supplies and any other household consumer products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation and essential operation of residences
- Engage in outdoor activity, provided the individuals comply with social distancing requirements of six feet or more, such as walking, hiking, running or bicycling
- Care for a family member or pet in another household
- Obtain healthcare service, including veterinary care for pets (this does not include fitness and exercise gyms, fitness studios and similar facilities)
- Help someone obtain necessary supplies
- Receive deliveries from any business which delivers
BUSINESSES SHALL NOT
- Operate except for Essential Businesses as defined by the order
- Operate business functions except for minimum basic operations outlined in the Emergency Order
Residents and businesses are encouraged to carefully review the definitions outlined in the “Stay at Home Order Defined” document. The Norcross Police Department is authorized to enforce the Stay at Home Order along with the previous orders outlined by the City of Norcross and by Governor Brian Kemp.
For the most up to date information on the city’s response to COVID-19, visit NORCROSSGA.NET/COVID19.
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