Although Georgia Governor Brian Kemp’s shelter-in-place order went into effect on April 3, social distancing guidelines have not trickled down to all public spaces. The White House Restaurant, an old-school strip mall diner in the heart of Buckhead, continues to allow customers to dine at small tables in the restaurant’s front patio area. Reached by phone for comment, a restaurant manager requested the AJC’s questions be sent by email, but that and subsequent emails were not returned.
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On Monday around noon, two men in fluorescent safety vests dined on takeout meals under an umbrella at a two-person table in front of the White House Restaurant. A waitress came outside to deliver a drink and additional takeout items. Current social distancing guidelines issued by the CDC advise distancing oneself at least six feet away from others, as well as wearing a face mask or other cloth face covering in public.
A reader tip alerted the AJC that the White House Restaurant appeared to be serving customers in violation of the shelter-in-place order issued by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp. Other restaurants and attractions around Atlanta have recently drawn scrutiny for an apparent disregard of social distancing guidelines as well.
Over the weekend, photojournalist Ryan Vizzions posted photos to Twitter of the Atlanta Beltline bustling with people. One photo showed the patio of Nina & Rafi, a popular pizza restaurant, filled with people, as reported by Eater Atlanta. The patio has now been cordoned off with caution tape, though the tables are bolted to the concrete and unable to be moved.
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has yet to close the Beltline despite an apparent desire to do so among other administration officials. In emails obtained by the AJC, Dr. S. Elizabeth Ford, the interim director of the Fulton Board of Health, described the Beltline as "the bane of my existence" and later in an interview as "a free-for-all." However, the same officials expressed concerns about how to enforce the closure of the multi-use path if it is added to the stay-at-home order. Dr. Ford noted that it was not feasible to station police at every entrance to the Beltline.
Anyone concerned that a business may not be following the state’s shelter-in-place order or another municipality’s social distancing guidelines can call 311, the number for non-emergency services, or the business line at their local police or sheriff’s departments.
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