This weekend’s weather will be glorious, but you won’t be able to enjoy the sunshine at your favorite Cobb County park.
Georgia Gov. Brian has declared a state of emergency that takes effect Friday at 6 p.m. The state order supersedes local government restrictions, but does not affect the county's decision to close parks, local officials say.
“There’s nothing in (Kemp’s order) that says anything about opening up parks,” said Cobb County spokesman Ross Cavitt.
Kemp’s declaration largely replaces the patchwork of orders implemented last month by Georgia counties and cities, including any orders for residents to shelter in place. The state order is set to expire at 11:59 p.m. April 13.
RELATED | Cobb County closes all parks due to coronavirus pandemic
Cobb County commissioners on Thursday extended the local state of emergency to April 24 based on the recommendations of public health officials. The state's declaration of emergency overrides the county's, but Cavitt said Kemp's order is very similar to what the county had already approved.
“There’s not a substantial difference that causes us concern at all,” he said, adding that if Kemp doesn’t extend his order beyond April 13, the county’s declaration will go into effect.
Cavitt said the county's March 23 decision to close its parks was separate from Cobb's declaration of emergency, which was signed the next day.
Cobb County is also working on a tool people can use to report anyone breaking the rules. The reports would go to public safety officials, but the county has not ironed out the details. He did say the county does not plan to arrest anyone for violating the order, but repeat offenders could face fines. Details on that tool will be released as early as next week.
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