Convening for its third emergency meeting in just over a week, the Henry County Board of Commissioners voted April 1 to approve a “safer at home” ordinance, imposing more restrictions on activities within the county and repealing the ordinance that was passed March 27. The meeting took place via teleconference, as the previous two did.
The action is essentially a shelter-in-place order, and it came with recommendations from the mayors of all four cities in the county, presenting a united front regarding guidelines for all jurisdictions.
The ordinance was set to take effect April 2 at 12:01 a.m. and remain in force until Tuesday, April 21. A similar move statewide was announce by Gov. Brian Kemp to be in effect April 3-13.
According to public reports, Kemp said his order would be enforced by state troopers and other authorized personnel when necessary, such as to prevent public gatherings.
In Henry County, the action taken most recently by the commissioners has been encouraged for more than a week by many citizens, while others have questioned the local government’s ability to enforce it or its legitimacy on constitutional grounds. Depending upon whose Facebook or Twitter feed you read, the move is either a long-overdue necessity or the first step in total governmental control of people’s lives.
Public safety personnel in Henry County will enforce the new ordinance in two ways. Individuals who do not comply will received “information delivery and education,” according to officials, while businesses which violate the order will be subject to penalties according to the county code.
The ordinance directs people living within the limits of unincorporated Henry County to stay at home, and to reasonably maintain at least six feet from any person when outside of their residence, at all times. People may leave home “only for essential activities, essential governmental functions and to operate essential businesses,” according to officials.
All non-essential businesses are to cease activities at their facilities except for “minimum basic operations.” Public and private gatherings outside a home are prohibited, and non-essential travel is ordered to stop.
The actual ordinance contains a detailed list of that is considered essential in all of these areas. Gatherings for religious worship or funerals are specifically cited as being exempt from prohibition, although churches are strongly encouraged to utilize online services and social media, which most local churches are already doing.
Board chair June Wood reiterated that she and her fellow commissioners are taking the COVID-19 threat very seriously. “As the concern of the COVID-19 continues throughout our nation, state and locally here in Henry County, the Board of Commissioners along with County Staff continues to do all that it can to continuously address the ever-growing concerns and changing dynamics,” she said.
Wood also read prepared statements in support of the county ordinance from each of the county’s four mayors:
“The city of Hampton is in agreement with the Henry County commissioners’ ordinance to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and we will be implementing some of the same decisions.” (Steve Hutchison)
“The ordinance is an additional tool to keep our residents [in Locust Grove] from violating social distancing regulations and remain at home as much as possible during this terrible scourge by COVID-19.” (Robert Price)
“The city of McDonough recognizes the importance of all five Henry County governments making a united stand on these issues and we are proud to do our part to help us collectively to move beyond this crisis as quickly as possible.” (Billy Copeland)
“This encapsulates the spirit of solidarity and unity in this challenging time in our nation’s history. The city of Stockbridge fully supports a Shelter in Place ordinance that would address the significant global implications of the COVID-19 pandemic.” (Anthony Ford)
