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LAKELAND, Ga.— The City of Lakeland Council conducted a phone conference regarding the growing health concerns regarding COVID-19. On March 23, they announced that the council was declaring a Public Health State of Emergency. For the average citizen, this will mean having a 9:00 PM curfew.

Press Release:

City Council declares a Public Health State of Emergency in the City of Lakeland due to the proliferation of COVID- 19

By Bob Jones

Mayor Bill Darsey called an emergency meeting of the City Council to address an ordinance to protect the health of the citizens of Lakeland. This meeting was held via phone conference with all Council members at 10:00 on Monday March 23, 2020.

Councilman Greg Sealey expressed a concern over closing restaurants because of his family’s business. He along with Councilman Giddens voted no on the motion to pass the resolution. Council members Tim Harrison, Kelli McRae, Otis Calhoun, and Grace Mack voted in favor of invoking the emergency resolution. This emergency resolution goes into effect immediately.

Darsey stated, too, “that the County Commissioners were waiting for the City to take action so they could follow suit”.

City to invoke “Emergency Resolution” to include curfew (entire resolution follows)

A curfew is imposed from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. effective immediately. Residents, unless “exempt individuals” as defined herein, shall remain in their homes or on their property. Exempt individuals include those individuals engaged in the provision of designated, essential services, such as (1) fire; (2) law enforcement; (3) medical and hospital services; (4) military services; (5) utility emergency repairs; (6) persons seeking emergency medical services or hospital services; (7) individuals traveling to and from their jobs with appropriate identification; (8) individuals engaged in the delivery of food, medicine, medical supplies, fuel including but not limited to the re-stocking of grocery stores, pharmacies, and convenience stores; and (8) news media employees.

The emergency resolution will expire April 22, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. unless otherwise extended by the action of the City Council.

Restaurants and other eating and dining establishments where food is served must cease offering dine-in services, but may continue preparing and offering food to customers via delivery, drive-through or take-out services. Patrons, employees and contractors of the establishments must maintain at least six (6) feet of personal distance between themselves as much as possible given the physical constraints of the premises. If a restaurant is licensed to sell beer and wine for on-premises consumption, such restaurant, during the effective dates of this Emergency Ordinance only, shall be authorized to sell unopened bottles of beer or wine for take-out consumption off-premises;

EMERGENCY ORDINANCE NO.______

EMERGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKELAND, GEORGIA DECLARING LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY RESULTING FROM THE PROLIFERATION OF THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID- 19)

WHEREAS, the President of the United States declared a National Public Health Emergency on Friday March 13, 2020; and

WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of Georgia declared a Public Health State of Emergency in Georgia on March 14, 2020 and the Georgia General Assembly concurred with the Governor’ s declaration on March 16, 2020; and

WHEREAS, a “Public health emergency” is defined by O.C.G.A. §31-12-1.1 as follows: “the occurrence or imminent threat of an illness or health condition that is reasonably believed to be caused by bioterrorism or the appearance of a novel or previously controlled or eradicated infectious agent or biological toxin and poses a high probability of any of the following harms:

(A) A large number of deaths in the affected population; (B) A large number of serious or long-term disabilities in the affected population; or (C) Widespread exposure to an infectious or toxic agent that poses a significant risk of substantial future harm to a large number of people in the affected population.; and

WHEREAS, the Charter of the City of Lakeland, in Sections 1.13(g) and 2.24(a) provides that the City may adopt an emergency ordinance in order “to meet a public emergency affecting life, health, property or public peace …;”

WHEREAS, the City of Lakeland finds it necessary to take multiple measures to reduce the risk of community transmission, including the restrictions to certain private and public facilities, for a period of thirty (30) days henceforth, and cancelling certain public meetings and gatherings; and

WHEREAS, additional measures may be required in the coming days and weeks to address the fluid situation and such measures will likely need to be executed quickly and free of the usual formalities and procedures required for City action.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOVLED, and it is hereby resolved, by the City Council of the City of Lakeland, Georgia as follows:

Section 1: The City Council adopts and makes the findings discussed in the” Whereas” paragraphs

the factual findings of the Council.

Section 2: The City Council hereby declares a Public Health State of Emergency in the City of Lakeland due to the proliferation of COVID- 19 in the United States and the State of Georgia.

Section 3: The following provisions shall govern during the Public Health State of Emergency

declared herein:

a. The City Council and all other boards, commissions or agencies of the City, shall have authority to conduct meetings and take votes by teleconference in accordance with O.C.G.A. 50-14-1(g);

b. The Mayor shall have authority to take such actions deemed necessary or appropriate for the public health and safety of the citizens of the City of Lakeland including the closure of City facilities;

c. Restaurants and other eating and dining establishments where food is served must cease offering dine-in services, but may continue preparing and offering food to customers via delivery, drive-through or take-out services. Patrons, employees and contractors of the establishments must maintain at least six (6) feet of personal distance between themselves as much as possible given the physical constraints of the premises. If a restaurant is licensed to sell beer and wine for on-premises consumption, such restaurant, during the effective dates of this Emergency Ordinance only, shall be authorized to sell unopened bottles of beer or wine for take-out consumption off-premises;

d. Gyms and fitness centers shall close;

e. All public and private gatherings of more than ten (10) people occurring outside a household or living unit are prohibited. Nothing in this Order, however, prohibits the gathering of individuals for the purposes of carrying on business activity or the provision of medical or health services.

Section 4. A curfew is imposed from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. effective immediately. Residents, unless “exempt individuals” as defined herein, shall remain in their homes or on their property. Exempt individuals include those individuals engaged in the provision of designated, essential services, such as (1) fire; (2) law enforcement; (3) medical and hospital services; (4) military services; (5) utility emergency repairs; (6) persons seeking emergency medical services or hospital services; (7) individuals traveling to and from their jobs with appropriate identification; (8) individuals engaged in the delivery of food, medicine, medical supplies, fuel including but not limited to the re-stocking of grocery stores, pharmacies, and convenience stores; and (8) news media employees.

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Section 5: All violations of this emergency ordinance shall be punished as provided in the City of Lakeland Charter and Code of Ordinance with fines up to $1,000.00 or confinement up to 180 days. All offenses shall be adjudicated in the Lakeland Municipal Court.

Section 6: All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with the provisions of this Resolution are hereby suspended during the effective dates of this Resolution (or any extension thereof) and

the terms and provisions of this Resolution shall prevail.

Section 7: This Ordinance shall take effect upon passage by the City Council and shall expire by

its own terms at 11: 59 p.m. on April 22, 2020, as provided by Section 2.24 of the Charter, unless terminated or extended by further action of the City Council.

SO ORDAINED, this the 23rd day of March, 2020.

CITY OF LAKELAND, GEORGIA