On Tuesday, March 31, 2020, Dr. S. Elizabeth Ford, district health director of the Fulton County Board of Health signed an order requiring all residents of Fulton County to stay in their residence. Individuals are “permitted to leave their places of residence only to provide or receive certain essential services or engage in certain essential activities and work for essential businesses and governmental functions.”

A violation of this order constitutes a misdemeanor offense which carries a maximum punishment of up to 12 months in jail and a $1,000 fine, or both.

According to the order, residents may leave their home for “essential activities” to ensure the health and safety of themselves, their families, or their pets. Outdoor activity like walking or running is allowed so long as social distancing is maintained (six feet apart from each other).

“Essential businesses” in Fulton County include:

• Healthcare operations
• Grocery stores
• Farming, livestock, fishing
• Businesses that provide food, shelter and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals
• Newspapers, television, radio, and other media services
• Gas stations, auto-supply, auto repair
• Banks
• Hardware stores
• Hotels, motels, conference centers – but only to provide shelter not for gatherings
• Plumbers, electricians, exterminators
• Businesses providing mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes
• Educational institutions for the purpose of facilitating distance learning
• Laundromats, dry cleaners
• Restaurants for drive-thru, deliver or carry-out
• Cafeterias in hospitals, nursing homes, or similar facilities
• Businesses that supply products for people to work from home
• Home-based care, and residential facilities for seniors, adults or children
• Legal or accounting services
• Veterinary care facilities, animal shelters or animal care
• Bike shops
• Childcare facilities
• Janitorial services
• Funeral homes, crematories and cemeteries, while maintaining social distancing
• Utility, water, sewer, gas, electrical, oil refining, roads and highways, railroad, public transportation, ride share, solid waste collection, internet services

All public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a single household or living unit are prohibited, except for the limited purposes above. Nothing in the order prevents the gathering of members of a household or living unit. This order will remain in place until rescinded.

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If you or someone you know has been arrested, contact the law firm of W. Scott Smith at 404.581.0999 for afree case evaluation. You’ll find a local Attorney ready to aggressively fight on your behalf.