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Health Official Orders Fulton County Residents To Shelter In Place—Violators Could Receive Fines Up To $1,000 Or Up To 12 Months In Jail

Many local officials are cracking down on trying to limit the number of people out in public during this time. Health officials in Georgia placed a new order in Fulton County that is in regard to the COVID-19 outbreak.

According to WSBTV, an order posted to the Fulton County Board of Health’s website states “all residents of Fulton County are commanded to stay at their place of residence” with exceptions. Those who violate the order could face fines of up to $1,000 and/or up-to 12 months in jail per offense.

Dr. S. Elizabeth Ford, the interim director of the Fulton health, said on Tuesday, “It is my hope that this Administrative Order enhances our efforts to keep Fulton County residents safe, and assists in flattening the COVID-19 curve.”

The essential purposes that are protected include:

  • Activities related to the health of you, a family member or a pet
  • Activities to get services and supplies
  • Outdoor activity, as long as people are six feet apart, which is out of the reach of droplets that could carry the virus
  • Work for essential businesses
  • Care for someone medically fragile
  • Activity for an essential government function

People who are homeless are of course exempt from the consequences.

 

The administrative order also:

  • Strongly encourages individuals who are medically fragile, in that they are at an increased risk for contracting COVID-19, and people who are sick to stay in their residence to the extent possible except as necessary to seek medical care.
  • Mandates any person showing symptoms recognized by the CDC as indicators of COVID-19 from entering public buildings, restaurants, shops, public transportation facilities and all other areas where the public enters or exits.
  • Prohibits all public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a single household or living unit, except for the limited purposes as expressly permitted herein.
  • County residents are encouraged to take this Administrative Order seriously. Violations of this Order shall constitute a misdemeanor and subject the violator to penalties and fines of up to $1,000 and/or up-to 12 months in jail per offense.

As we previously reported, Bill de Blasio, the Mayor of New York, also spoke of handing out fines to those who refuse to practice social distancing. The summons will reportedly range from $250 to $500.

 

Roommates, what are your thoughts?

 

Source: https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/health-official-orders-fulton-county-residents-shelter-place/SCZK2BS2ZNC4LM3FAVM2UYTICI/

 

TSR STAFF: Jade Ashley @Jade_Ashley94

Jade Whiteside