Gov. Brian Kemp has put some restrictions in place but has resisted calls to issue a formal stay at home order.

The city of Atlanta, meanwhile, adopted its own such measures earlier this week. Several DeKalb County cities -- including Brookhaven, Decatur and Doraville -- did as well.

Neighboring Gwinnett County and its 16 cities also adopted such a measure late Friday — and DeKalb's order suggests Thurmond had been in contact with Gwinnett leaders too.

Thurmond’s order said that “the Chief Executive Officer of DeKalb County and the Chair of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners agree that a coordinated effort to encourage residents to limit activities out of the home is the best way to slow the spread of COVID-19.”

DeKalb's new order escalates guidance Thurmond issued on Monday, which involved a voluntary curfew, restricting gatherings of more than 10 people and limiting restaurants to take-out service only.

It does not automatically apply to cities within DeKalb County but invites those municipalities to adopt similar ordinances for uniformity’s sake.