Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has announced a national emergency in the city amid the coronavirus outbreak.
“In an effort to slow the spread of the Coronavirus, I have declared a State of Emergency within the city of Atlanta, prohibiting large public gatherings of more than 250 people,” Bottoms said in a statement posted to her Twitter account.
“This is a quickly evolving public health crisis,” Bottoms added. “We will continue to evaluate and adjust our policies accordingly.”
The decision comes the state of Georgia confirmed it’s 99th confirmed coronavirus case, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health and a day after Gov. Brian Kemp announced a state of emergency for Georgia.
“This public health emergency is unprecedented for the state of Georgia, and I do not take this action lightly,” Kemp said during a news conference, urging Georgians to “incorporate social distancing in their daily lives.” “Otherwise, we risk a run on critical resources for the sickest patients in our state,” he said during a somber speech in the state Capitol, live-streamed to the public because it was cordoned off to the media. “Now is the time to act.”
Statewide school closures were also announced over the weekend. Church services, sporting events, and entertainment concerts and shows have also postponed.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended a ban on gatherings of 50 people and more. It is being suggested that Bottoms could impose a city-wide curfew, to help to combat the virus.
Please, safe out there!
