ATLANTA — Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has signed at stay-at-home order in an attempt to slow down the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Bottoms tweeted a photo of the order Monday night.
"Based upon our density & specific needs/concerns in Atlanta, I’ve signed a 14 day Stay at Home Order," she said in her tweet.
The order directs all individuals living in the city to stay at home, only permitting them to leave to "provide or receive certain essential services or engage in certain essential activities."
She tweeted that the executive order does not include essential businesses, parks, the Atlanta BeltLine or restaurants serving takeout.
“Until we flatten the curve of COVID-19 infections, the City must exercise every reasonable power to slow the spread of this virus,” Bottoms said in a news release. “Across the globe we are seeing a growing sense of urgency, and we must all make some sacrifices to break the chain of infections and avert a worst-case scenario.”
The order goes into effect on March 24 at midnight.
Earlier during the day, Bottoms told city council members that she had what was was essentially a "stay-at-home order for the City of Atlanta" ready, but she held off on signing it initially at the request of the governor. Bottoms said Gov. Brian Kemp told her he would be making additional announcements in the afternoon.
"Thank you @BrianKempGA for the updated state guidelines," Bottoms tweeted.
In an announcement from the Monday afternoon briefing, Kemp said he is issuing an executive order that will require certain individuals with an "increased risk" of complications from COVID-19 to "isolate, quarantine, or shelter in place."
This mandate would cover those who live at long-term care facilities, have chronic lung disease, are undergoing cancer treatment, have a positive COVID-19 test, are suspected to have COVID-19 because of their symptoms and exposure, or have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19. As part of the order, all bars and nightclubs within the state would be forced to close. The order would also ban all gatherings of 10 or more people unless the recommended 6 feet of social distancing space can be maintained at all times.
Kemp's order will go into effect at noon Tuesday and will expire at noon on Monday, April 6.
Read more about Kemp's order here.
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