Gov. Brian Kemp signed an executive order authorizing all sheriffs and their deputies to enforce the Shelter in Place Ordinance.
GEORGIA — On Friday, April 3, 2020, Gov. Brian Kemp signed an executive order authorizing all sheriffs and their deputies to enforce the closure of any businesses, establishments, corporation, non-profit corporation, or organizations not in compliance with the State’s shelter in place ordinance.
“As constitutional officers of the State of Georgia who are present in every county, sheriffs are uniquely positioned law enforcement officers who can assist in the State’s response to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19,” Gov. Kemp stated in the order.
The shelter in place ordinance was signed by Gov. Kemp on Thursday, April 2, 2020, and will remain effective until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, April 13, 2020. The ordinance stated all businesses, establishments, corporations, non-profit corporations, and organizations not considered essential must engage only in minimum basic operations.
Minimum operations include, but are not limited to, necessary activities to maintain the value of a business, establishment, corporation, non-profit corporation, or organization; provide services; manage inventory; ensure security; process payroll and employee benefits; or for related functions.
The following businesses and professionals must cease in-person operations and close to the public until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, April 13, 2020:
- Bars
- Nightclubs
- Gyms
- Fitness centers
- Bowling allies
- Theaters
- Live performance venues
- Operators of amusement parks
- Dine-in services at restaurants and private social clubs
- Exceptions: take-out, curbside pick-up, delivery, and dine-in services at long-term care facilities
- Estheticians
- Hair designers
- Body art studios (also knowns as tattoo parlors)
- Beauty shops and salons (including home beauty shops and salons)
- Barber shops (including home barber shops)
- Cosmetology schools
- Hair design schools
- Barbering schools
- Esthetics schools
- Nail care schools
- Licensed massage therapist
Any businesses in which employees work outdoors — such as delivery services, contractors, landscape businesses, and agriculture industry services — are permitted to continue operating. Newton County Sheriff Ezell Brown and the Newton County Sheriff’s Office urges everyone working outdoors to protect themselves by wearing a mask and staying six feet away from others.
The Newton County Sheriff’s Office will not make a traffic stop to determine whether or not an individual is an essential worker and strongly encourages everyone to abide by the shelter in place ordinance. A traffic stop will only occur if a deputy determined a traffic or criminal offense occurred prior to the stop.
Additionally, Sheriff Brown and his deputies will strive to make contact with gatherings of 10 or more people where the six-foot separation order has not been followed. In the cases of religious services, funerals, and services, deputies will instruct attendees to separate and adhere to the six-foot separation order prior to official action. Newton County’s shelter in place ordinance limited the amount of people attending religious services, funerals, and visitations to the maximum number set forth by the CDC or the President of the Unites States, whichever is less. As of this Friday, April 3, 2020, the maximum number is 10 people.