Gwinnett commission chairman signs emergency declaration for county

Gwinnett Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash declared a state of emergency. EMILY HANEY / emily.haney@ajc.com AJC FILE PHOTO

Gwinnett Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash declared a state of emergency. EMILY HANEY / emily.haney@ajc.com AJC FILE PHOTO

Gwinnett County has declared a local emergency in response to the coronavirus epidemic.

Charlotte Nash, the chairman of the board of commissioners, signed the declaration to activate emergency powers in the county.

The state of emergency calls for all available resources of the county to be used as reasonably necessary to cope with the impact of the virus’ spread in Gwinnett County. Those include the use of public property to protect lives and health and the ability to provide temporary housing or emergency shelters.

The declaration was signed Monday evening. It goes through April 13, but may be renewed.