On Monday, March 23, 2020, Mayor Robert A.B. Reichert announced a local state of emergency for Macon-Bibb County until April 6, 2020, to help slow the spread of the Novel Coronavirus 2019, or COVID-19. That date could be extended with a further order should the need arise, and that decision will be made in consultation with healthcare and emergency response officials.

“This Order is put in place with the knowledge that it will be a serious challenge for our families, will financially damage businesses that close, and constitute an impairment to commerce of all types, but it is essential to prevent the spread of the virus,” said Mayor Reichert. “Despite these restrictions in the Order that are meant to keep us physically apart, we must find ways to become spiritually together through our support of each other.”

The Order states, among other things, that:

all public or private gatherings (exceptions listed in the Order) of more than ten people are prohibited;

restaurants shall close to the public except to provide take out, delivery, drive-through, or curbside service;

bars, taverns, and similar establishments are to be closed;

restaurants licensed to sell beer or wine may offer to sell sealed bottles to customers to go;

body care services which require physical contact between the provider and client are closed;

indoor recreation facilities are closed;

business license deadlines are extended through May 6^th;

all special event permits are cancelled;

retail, commercial, and industrial establishments can remain open provided they make restrictions on the number of people and steps taken for social distancing in order to protect employees and the public.