In the Loop
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Athens Transit Reduces Service but Is Now Free
Photo Credit: Joshua L. Jones/file
To reduce transmissions of coronavirus, Athens Transit is switching to a weekend level of service and will stop collecting fares through Apr. 7.
Nine routes will operate from 7:30 a.m. until 9:45 p.m.: 1 (North Avenue), 2 (East Broad/Nellie B), 5 (Beechwood/Baxter Street), 6 (Hancock/Abbey West), 7 (Prince Avenue), 8 (Barber Street/Newton Bridge), 20 (West Broad/Atlanta Highway), 25 (Lexington/Gaines School) and 27 (Barnett Shoals/Gaines School).
Passengers can only enter and exit the bus through the rear door to ensure social distancing between the driver and riders. No youths under 18 are allowed to ride unless accompanied by an adult.
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UGA Closes Campus for the Semester
Photo Credit: UGA Grady College
The University of Georgia will move to online classes for the rest of the spring semester and reduce on-campus activities to a minimum, including canceling the May commencement ceremony, President Jere Morehead announced today.
The few students who remain in residence halls because they have nowhere to go can stay, and can get food to go from Bolton Hall. Other students who live on campus and meal plan subscribers will be given refunds on a pro-rated basis. All students will also receive pro-rated refunds on fees. Advising for the fall semester will happen remotely.
Classes will resume online Mar. 30. The deadline to withdraw has been extended until Apr. 17.
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Commission Restricts Public Gatherings, Calls for People to Stay at Home
Mayor Kelly Girtz. Photo credit: Chris Scredon
In an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus, the Athens-Clarke County Commission approved an emergency ban on assemblies larger than 10 people in many local gathering places at a called meeting Monday night.
But the commission opted against a proposed curfew, instead passing a "voluntary sheltering in place" policy asking residents to stay in their homes as much as possible.
The ban on gatherings of more than 10 people—based on a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation issued today—applies to bars, restaurants, entertainment venues like movie theaters and bowling alleys, ACC-owned facilities and public property. Employees are exempted from the limit. It does not apply to retailers, such as grocery stores or pharmacies. Restaurants will still be allowed to serve food for take-out and delivery.
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Commission to Consider Curfew, Ban on Gatherings
The Athens-Clarke County Commission has called an emergency meeting at 5 p.m. today to consider a curfew and a ban on gatherings of more than 50 people.
If approved, the curfew will prohibit people from driving or going out in public between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. That includes streets, bars, restaurants, parks and any other public building or public place.
Because of the need for social distancing, rather than attend in person, citizens are urged to provide comments online and watch the proceedings on Charter cable channel 180 or online at YouTube.com/accgov.
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First Coronavirus Cases Reported in Athens
Two people in Athens have been tested positive for coronavirus, according to an Athens-Clarke County commissioner.
Commissioner Russell Edwards told Flagpole that a public health official told him Saturday night about the positive tests, and posted that information on social media, which quickly spread.
Flagpole has not been able to confirm the report. When reached by phone, District 10 public health director Whitney Howell declined to comment.
Mayor Kelly Girtz was also unable to confirm the report. However, he said that given Athens' population and status as a popular destination for visitors, it was only a matter of time before coronavirus made an appearance.
"We just know that it's coming," Girtz said. He made similar comments earlier today in a joint statement with Athens' state legislators after a meeting with hospital officials.
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Georgia Pushes Back Presidential Primary; Athens Legislators Issue Coronavirus Warning
Gov. Brian Kemp.
Georgia is postponing early voting in the Democratic presidential primary and pushing Election Day back from Mar. 24 to May 19 due to fears of voters and poll workers spreading coronavirus.
May 19 is also the date of Democratic and Republican primaries for seats in Congress and the state legislature, as well as nonpartisan local races such as the Athens-Clarke County Commission and Clarke County Board of Education.
Early voting will resume at some point before May 19, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
In addition, Mayor Kelly Girtz, state Reps. Spencer Frye (D-Athens), Houston Gaines (R-Athens) and Marcus Wiedower (R-Watkinsville), and Sens. Bill Cowsert (R-Athens) and Frank Ginn (R-Danielsville) issued a statement today saying that they except to see COVID-19 cases in Athens.
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Update: UGA and CCSD Suspend Classes and More Coronavirus Cancellations
The University of Georgia announced today that it will be suspending classes for two weeks and told students not to come back from spring break or leave campus Friday.
From USG Executive Vice Chancellor Teresa MacCartney:
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State Says Athens Can't Use Paper Ballots
Brad Raffensperger.
The State Elections Board voted today to sanction Athens-Clarke County for using paper ballots instead of the new voting machines the state recently sent Georgia counties.
After a hearing held at UGA that lasted nearly eight hours, the state board voted to require the Athens-Clarke County Board of Elections to cover the $2,500 cost of the investigation into the decision. The state board will also fine the local board $5,000 for each day it continues to use paper ballots.
ACC could have faced a fine of over $5 million—$5,000 for each of the more than 1,000 paper ballots that had already been cast.
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