Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the parameters of the city of College Park’s business curfew.
The city of Tucker has imposed a nighttime curfew on its residents, a move aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus.
The curfew, which went into effect at midnight Friday, runs from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Residents cannot leave their homes except for necessary trips to work or for medical treatment, food or drugstore goods. Most businesses must also close by 9 p.m., Tucker Mayor Frank Auman said.
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“Our general approach has been to allow as much freedom as possible to our people and businesses to continue normal activities as long as they could and would do so with the guidance being issued by our national public health authorities,” Auman said in a video posted to the city’s website. “Now, despite all the voluntary compliance, I have reached the conclusion that we have run out of the logic that allows us to proceed on that basis alone, and that we must enforce certain restrictions to protect the public.”
Auman said he is not aware of any confirmed coronavirus cases in Tucker, which previously declared a state of emergency over the virus.
The DeKalb County city of 36,000 is at least the second city in metro Atlanta to enact a curfew on its residents. The city of South Fulton approved a curfew Tuesday night barring anyone from leaving their homes between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m., unless for work or medical purposes. College Park issued a business curfew, ordering bars, nightclubs and restaurants to close by 10 p.m. and not re-open before 7 a.m.
Tucker also ordered businesses and residents to comply with federal guidelines in terms of group size and social distancing. The Centers for Disease Control has urged people to avoid large group gatherings.
Several cities in metro Atlanta have placed restrictions on in-person dining at restaurants and bars. Local officials have also called on Gov. Brian Kemp to impose statewide rules that provide broad guidance to businesses.
