FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT EMERGENCY DECLARATION
City of Cairo, Whigham and Grady County Declaration of Disaster & Public Health Emergency FAQs
When does the order go into effect?
The order goes into effect at 6 a.m. Saturday, March 28, 2020
How long does the order last?
The order is in effect through 8:00 a.m. on April 13 2020, unless it is extended, rescinded, superseded, or amended by the Mayor of Cairo, Whigham and the Chairman of the Grady County Commission.
What does shelter-in-place mean?
The order does not confine residents to their home as the lockdowns in Italy and China have done, but it directs residents to stay home unless participating in essential activities. Essential activities include grocery shopping, working, healthcare, caring for others, etc.
What are essential activities?
Individuals may leave their residence only to perform “Essential Activities” as defined in the order.
Should my business close during this time?
The order does not require all private businesses to temporarily close.
Will grocery stores remain open?
Yes, grocery stores may remain open and are not to exceed 50 percent occupancy at any given time. Persons are to observe social distancing and are not to be within six feet of one another for extended periods of time.
Will retailers and shopping centers have to close?
The order defines “essential businesses” and also essential business operations. Businesses are expected to follow the order. Persons are not to be within six feet of one another at all times.
Can my “non-essential” retail businesses continue to offer curb-side/pickup/delivery of goods, even if the business is considered non-essential?
Businesses outside of the “essential” category may provide goods via curb-side/pickup/drive through. All social distancing guidelines should be followed. Please review the order at syrupcity. net.
Can production facilities and distribution centers stay open?
Yes, production facilities and distribution centers may remain open, so long as social distancing guidelines of six feet are followed. Workers may travel to and from work.
Are information technology and related businesses considered essential?
Yes, information technology businesses are considered “essential infrastructure” and may continue to provide essential business services. Social distancing guidelines are to be followed.
Are plumbers, electricians, mechanics and similar trades considered essential?
Yes, these are considered “essential businesses” as defined by the order.
If my restaurant/bar/gym limits access to 10 members or less at a time, does it have to close?
Restaurants are prohibited from providing service in their dining rooms. Restaurants may continue to provide drive through, pick up/curbside and delivery services. Bars, Nightclubs and other similar establishments are closed. Gyms and other similar businesses fall under the temporary closure order. All businesses which possess a license to sell alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption, but only via drive- thru or in parking lots or at curb may remain open.
Are daycares required to close under this order?
No. Childcare facilities are not included in this order but should maintain social distancing.
Does my church have to cancel in-person service?
Yes. However, virtual worship services are highly encouraged during this time of crisis in our community.
Can we still hold funeral services?
Yes, as long as indoor attendance is limited to less than 10 persons and social distancing is observed. Outdoor/graveside services are encouraged.
My hotel has a restaurant and/or continental breakfast buffet. Should that be closed?
Yes. Food should be delivered to rooms or picked up to-go during the effective period of the order.
Can my food truck remain operational?
Food trucks and mobile food operations may remain open so long as all social distancing guidelines are followed and the method of service is pick-up, take out, delivery only. Patrons are encouraged to remain in their vehicles until such a time as they must order or their food is prepared.
Are beauty and barber shops and nail salons allowed to stay open?
No. These establishments are expected to follow the order, which can be found at syrupcity. net.
Can dance studios continue classes that are limited to 10 students or less at one time?
No. A dance studio falls under the category of Indoor Recreational Facility and is subject to the requirements of the order.
Can we still maintain our dentist, eye doctor, and medical doctor appointments?
Yes. Hospitals and medical facilities are not included in the Community Gathering definition so long as persons are generally not within 6 feet of one another for extended periods.
Is the animal shelter remaining open?
Animal shelter operations are continuing as normal.
Are parks and playgrounds still open?
Outdoor recreational facilities such as parks and playgrounds remain open, so long as there are not gatherings of 10 or more people and social distancing is required. Organized and unorganized group sports are prohibited. Parks and Recreation has implemented an extensive cleaning schedule for all playground equipment, tables, benches and other outdoor facilities.
Someone please tell me that there has been a number of positive confirmations for COVID-19 in Grady County. If not, what is the reasons for this kind of social disruptions except for officials positioning Grady County for possible state and federal funding. I can see if a county-wide outbreak was in progress. I can understand if a number of positive cases were present. What I can’t buy into is that all of a sudden they “care.” In my mind, that dog won’t hunt. If people or officials are chasing the might dollar, simply say so. Shutting down in person church services should be left up to the church and congregation and not left up to money chasers. I do care about the vulnerable population of the community and I do all I can to prevent them from becoming ill. But, I do believe people have enough common sense in coming together to protect themselves. I know this pandemic is going to be tedious and long, but give some people the benefit of the doubt when it comes to knowing how to protect themselves. I’m sure no one is in the prisons, jails, detention centers, and correctional institutions practicing social distancing. Are the officials prepared to pay salaries to all those who may become unemployed at the proactive (premature) move of county officials? Before you send folks home and close businesses, be prepared with a plan of action that include social support. God knows I pray these smart officials aren’t trying to lay down some re-election goodwill, thinking a social disruption will gain them points.
Mickey don’t wear your seatbelt while driving until you are going to have an accident. Surely you are a responsible driver no need to wear one.
YES! 100% CORRECT!
So, people are idiots, that is why the ordinance is in place, it is not to punish anyone, or “chasing” money. In albany 1 man attended a funeral, and now they are the 3rd in the state with infection. So what if this man went and sat down next to you at church Sunday morning?
The leaders of our community are doing a great job and have to make hard decisions!
Just stay away from folks, there are some of us in healthcare who cannot hug or love on our families due to fear of exposing them, so do your part and SUCK IT UP!!!
Amen! We are all having to be extra careful during this pandemic.