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1. Where can I read the ordinance for myself?

You can read the Shelter In Place Ordinance here.

2. How long is the Ordinance in place for?

The Shelter in Place Ordinance went into effect on March 25 and is currently scheduled to end at 11:50 p.m. on April 7. However, the date remains subject to the situation and the order can be extended if needed.

3. Can I leave my house?

In order to stop the spread of COVID-19, everyone should stay in place and practice social distancing. However, the ordinance allows people to leave their homes for essential activities defined as:

• To engage in activities or perform tasks essential to their health and safety, or to the health and safety of their family or household members or partners or significant others (including, but not limited to, pets), such as, by way of example only and without limitation, obtaining medical supplies or medication, visiting a health care professional, or obtaining supplies they need to work from home.
• To obtain necessary services or supplies for themselves and their family or household members, or to deliver those services or supplies to others, such as, by way of example only and without limitation, canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supplies, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, and any other household consumer products, and products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences.
• To engage in outdoor activity, provided the individuals comply with Social Distancing requirements, such as, by way of example and without limitation, walking, hiking, running, or bicycling.
• To perform work providing essential products and services at an Essential Business or to otherwise carry out activities specifically permitted in this Order, including Minimum Basic Operations.
• To care for a family member or pet in another household.

See more on Shelter in Place here

4. What businesses are still open?

For the purposes of this Order, “Essential Businesses” means:

• Healthcare Operations and Essential Infrastructure;
• Grocery stores, certified farmers’ markets, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, food banks, convenience stores, and other establishments engaged in the retail sale of canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supply, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, and any other household consumer products (such as cleaning and personal care products). This includes stores that sell groceries and also sell other non-grocery products, and products necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences;
• Food cultivation, including farming, livestock, and fishing;
• Businesses that provide food, shelter, and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals;
• Newspapers, television, radio, and other media services;
• Gas stations, auto-supply, auto-repair, and related facilities;
• Banks and related financial institutions;
• Hardware stores;
• Plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences, Essential Activities, and Essential Businesses;
• Businesses providing mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes;
• Educational institutions—including private K-12 schools, colleges, and universities—for purposes of facilitating distance learning or performing essential functions, provided that social distancing of six-feet per person is maintained to the greatest extent possible;
• Laundromats, drycleaners, and laundry service providers;
• Restaurants and other facilities that prepare and serve food, but only for delivery or carry out. Schools and other entities that typically provide free food services to students or members of the public may continue to do so under this Order on the condition that the food is provided to students or members of the public on a pick-up and take-away basis only. Schools and other entities that provide food services under this exemption shall not permit the food to be eaten at the site where it is provided, or at any other gathering site;
• Businesses that supply products needed for people to work from home;
• Businesses that supply other Essential Businesses with support or supplies and all industrial manufacturers;
• Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, goods, or services directly to residences;
• Airlines, taxis, and other private transportation providers providing transportation services necessary for Essential Activities and other purposes expressly authorized in this Order;
• Home-based care for seniors, adults, or children;
• Residential facilities including hotels, motels, shared rental units and similar facilities and shelters for seniors, adults, and children;
• Professional services, such as legal, accounting services, real estate services, when necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities or while supporting other Essential Businesses.
• Unless otherwise preempted by state law, childcare facilities providing services that enable employees exempted in this Order to work as permitted. To the extent possible, childcare facilities must operate under the following mandatory conditions:
• Childcare must be carried out in stable groups of 12 or fewer (“stable”
• means that the same 12 or fewer children are in the same group each day).
• Children shall not change from one group to another.
• If more than one group of children is cared for at one facility, each group
• shall be in a separate room. Groups shall not mix with each other.
• Childcare providers shall remain solely with one group of children.
• All businesses which possesses a Class A, retail liquor package license; Class B,
• retail beer package license; or a Class C, retail wine package license shall be authorized,
• but only via drive-thru or in parking lots or at curb.
• Religious assemblies. The County strongly encourages, but does not require, religious assemblies to voluntarily limit their assembly to no more than 10 people, and only for the purpose of conducting and producing a religious service for video or audio transmission.
• Businesses selling firearms or ammunition
• Outdoor recreation businesses, including fishing, hunting and golf course activities.
• Funeral homes and crematories; provided the number of attendees at any funeral service, visitation or other gatherings shall be limited to the maximum number recommended by the CDC or the President of the United States, whichever is less, and which number is, as of April 1, 10 people, exclusive of employees.

All other businesses are considered non-essential and shall remain closed to the public and shall remain open only for minimum basic operations

5. If a business is closed to the public can they still be open?

All other businesses are considered non-essential and shall remain closed to the public and shall remain open only for minimum basic operations

For the purposes of the order “minimum basic operations” means:

• The minimum necessary activities to maintain the value of the business’s inventory, necessary physical maintenance, ensure security, process payroll and employee benefits, or for related functions.
• The minimum necessary activities to facilitate employees of the business being able to continue to work remotely from their residences.
• One owner of the business, or one designee of the owner, on site at the business performing functions necessary to maintain the business, provided that the business must be physically closed to the public.

6. How is this being enforced?

The Newton County Sheriff’s Office has been authorized  to perform the duties of enforcing the Shelter in Place Ordinance. The Sheriff’s Office is encouraged to exercise its discretion to avoid making arrests for less serious criminal activity encountered in the course of enforcing the order.

The Sheriff’s Office can be reached at 678-625-1403 or www.newtonsheriffga.org.