When Gov. Brian Kemp's statewide shelter-in-place order goes into effect tonight, it wipes out other local responses to the coronavirus pandemic, beginning March 1.
In Gwinnett County, city leaders worked with the county government to agree to restrictions that in some cases are stricter than the state's order. Gwinnett also coordinated with DeKalb County on their response.
While everyone in the state is now subject to the same rules, the loosening of restrictions is concerning to some local leaders.
One, Lawrenceville Mayor David Still, said in an email that the local governments worked diligently to get Gwinnett County orders right for the community.
“Governor Kemp’s order, that the County nor the City of Lawrenceville asked for, weakens our local orders that are in place instead of strengthening the County and City’s mutual Stay at Home orders,” he wrote.
He asked Kemp to allow Lawrenceville and other governments to enforce more stringent restrictions.
“Local governments are the boots on the ground and we can quickly interpret and enforce our own emergency orders effectively — moving the needle in stopping the spread of COVID-19,” he said.
Other local leaders were not as outspoken as Still, but questioned the effect the state’s order would have locally. Chris McGahee, Duluth’s director of economic development, said city attorneys were poring over the order but he wasn’t yet sure what would be different for local governments.
“It definitely looks like there are some changes,” he said. “It’s kind of a weird time for us. We’re sort of in exploration phase, at the moment.”
In Auburn, City Administrator Alex Mitchem said with more exceptions available under the state’s order than the county’s, he wonders if some stores will try to reopen.
“I’m curious if our businesses are going to respond any differently,” he said. “What about a retail store, if they’re doing self-checkout? We’re going to see what next week brings. That’s going to be interesting.”
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