The White County Board of Commissioners this morning declared a state of emergency severely limiting social gatherings and some business operations in the county.

Commissioners issued the order because, despite guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Georgia Emergency Management Agency on social distancing, “it has been evidenced that people in White County continue to gather in large numbers in spaces where social distancing cannot be effectuated.”

What the order does

The order is in effect until April 13. Until then, all community gatherings of more than ten people anywhere in White County are prohibited.

In addition:

Restaurants will remain closed except to provide take out, delivery, drive­ through, or curbside service.

Wineries and breweries will be closed to the public except for retail package sales. Purchases must be consumed off-premises. No tastings or consumption is allowed on the premises.

The order also shuts down businesses that provide body care services that require physical contact such as barbershops, hair, nail and tanning salons, and tattoo shops, among others. It also closes all indoor recreation and amusement facilities including gyms, spas, playhouses, and concert venues, among others.

Yonah Preserve and all White County-owned recreation facilities will be closed for business and the county canceled all permits for special events and park facility rentals. No new permits will be issued as long as a state of emergency exists. Permit and rental fees will be refunded.

Also, the White County Commission’s order delays all county government deadlines through the end of the order and for thirty days after it expires.

What the emergency order does NOT do

White County’s emergency order does not restrict any services performed by or under the direct supervision of a licensed medical doctor, nurse, dentist, physical therapist, chiropractor, or other healthcare professional.

It does not close all businesses in the county. All other retail, commercial, or industrial establishments except those specifically addressed in the order, will be permitted to remain open if they comply with strict social distancing guidelines. Businesses also must ensure that no employee is allowed to work who is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or who lives with anybody exhibiting symptoms.

USFS shuts down local tourist attractions

In addition to the state of emergency announced Thursday by White County Commissioners, the U.S. Forest Service ordered ‘hard closures’ of several national forest sites in White County including:

Raven Cliffs

Duke Creek Falls

Mt Yonah

Anna Ruby Falls

“These areas will be closed and roads barricaded,” said White County Public Safety Director David Murphy. Law Enforcement will be patrolling for violations and illegal parking will be enforced along roadways.

The Forest Service closed its campgrounds and recreational areas in the region on March 21, but people continued to visit the unmanned sites. With these hard shutdowns, White County hopes to slow the number of tourists coming to the area during the pandemic.