ACCGov Continues Closed Workstations with Telecommuting Operations (April 6-10)

All Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCGov) departments and offices will continue to operate under a modified closed workstations model the week of April 6-10.

Most ACCGov services, programs, and offices will be closed during this time, but ACCGov will continue to provide essential emergency services such as public safety, emergency response, certain judicial functions, trash collection, and water and sewer services.

Many non-emergency staff will telecommute remotely during the week in order to answer questions and provide services remotely over the phone or online. Other staff will work in shifts on alternating days and maintain social distancing. In most offices, residents will be able to speak with staff directly even though offices are closed.

Residents are encouraged to call departments and offices - a list of phone numbers is available through www.accgov.com/directory - or visit department webpages at www.accgov.com instead of visiting ACCGov offices to see if services or information will be unavailable and which services will be provided online and over the phone.

Georgia COVID-19 Emotional Support Line - 866-399-8938

The Georgia COVID-19 Emotional Support Line provides 24/7 free and confidential assistance to callers needing emotional support or resource information as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Emotional Support Line is staffed by volunteers, including mental health professionals and others who have received training in crisis counseling.

Georgia COVID-19 Emotional Help Support Line

CDC Recommends Cloth Face Coverings

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.

CDC also advises the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.

Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure.

The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.

For full details and how-to instructions, visit the CDC "Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19" webpage.

Webinar for Athens-Clarke County Small Businesses & Non-Profits on Tues., April 7 at 10:00 a.m.

Athens-Clarke County small businesses and non-profits: Please check out the link below for information about U.S. Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Emergency Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), including an up to $10,000 EIDL advance that does not need to be repaid.

The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center is teaming up with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and the Georgia Department of Economic Development to provide the small businesses of Georgia with vital information and assistance during this time of need.

There are a series of webinars this coming week about how to apply and answer questions.

The webinar for Region 5 that includes Athens is on Tues., April 7 at 10:00 a.m.

Learn more and login details at www.georgiasbdc.org/georgia-small-business-recovery.

Mayor & Commission Regular Session on Tuesday, April 7

The Mayor and Commission will hold their monthly Regular Session voting meeting on Tuesday, April 7 at 6:00 p.m. The agenda and online comment form are available online at www.accgov.com/agendas.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the April 7 Mayor and Commission meeting will be remote.

Online comments regarding items listed on this agenda will be received until 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 7. There is a different set of state rules governing the zoning related item (#15). City Hall will be arranged for on-camera, one-at-a-time input with spaces in the hall designated to ensure distancing only for public comment on Zoning Agenda Item #15.

The meeting will be streamed and broadcast live. Interested members of the public can watch live online via YouTube at www.youtube.com/accgov or the YouTube app, via www.accgov.com/videos, via Facebook at www.facebook.com/accgov, or on ACTV
Cable Channel 180 or at www.accgov.com/actvlive.

Landfills Closed on Saturdays & Requiring Appointments During Weekdays

In consideration of the safety and well-being of employees and customers, the Athens-Clarke County Landfill and the Oglethorpe County Construction and Demolition Landfill (for area construction and demolition waste) are closed on Saturdays until further notice. Residents are asked to hold their waste until Monday.

Until further notice, all customers must make an appointment before visiting the ACC Landfill during weekday hours using an online appointment form.

Only existing landfill commercial accounts will be permitted without an appointment.

72 Positive Cases Confirmed in Athens-Clarke County, 8 Deaths

The state Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) case tracker (https://dph.georgia.gov/covid-19-daily-status-report) confirms 72 positive cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Athens-Clarke County with eight deaths as of 6:28 p.m. on April 6.

The eight deaths range in age from 60-98. Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes are at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 and should always consult their healthcare provider if they are sick.

Long-term care facilities, nursing homes, and congregate living settings for older people must strictly follow COVID-19 prevention measures to stop rapid spread of the virus.

Governor's Executive Order Information

The Governor issued an executive order on April 2 relating to statewide mandatory shelter-in-place requirements and business restrictions.

The order was effective as of April 3, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. and runs until April 13, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.

Here are some resources related to the order:

Governor's order (also listed on accgov.com/coronavirus)
FAQs about the order (compiled on accgov.com)
Additional guidance and FAQs (PDF) on the executive order
Video from Governor Kemp on the executive order (April 2)

Information Sources

The response to COVID-19 involves both rapid and extensive changes and also deliberate measures that take some time to consider.

Once official information is released from the Georgia Department of Public Health, the Northeast Georgia Health District, the State of Georgia government, or other local partners, we will report it on www.accgov.com/coronavirus and social media.

Additionally, this COVID-19 update newsletter will go out at least daily with new information primarily about the ACCGov response and plans. It may also include some local area information of note as space allows.