Although Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has ordered the City’s citizens to stay home until April 7, for nonessential businesses to close, and for there to be no gatherings of any kind, regardless of size, public parks and other outdoor spaces including the Atlanta BeltLine remain open.
Similar orders are now in effect in Brookhaven and Decatur.
Reps for the BeltLine on Wednesday by way of its “In The Loop” newsletter responded to Bottoms’ order, “strongly [encouraging] everyone to stay at home at this time.”
“If you do visit the Atlanta BeltLine during this period, it is critical to our collective health that you follow all CDC recommendations, remain at least six feet apart, and avoid congregating,” according to the announcement.
In support of the Mayor’s orders, here’s what the BeltLine has done:
- Suspended all BeltLine events and programs through at least April 17, 2020
- Installed signage encouraging social distancing and other “safe behavior” along with all mainline segments of the Atlanta BeltLine
- Closed the Atlanta BeltLine Center
- Implemented a mandatory telework policy for staff
“During this unprecedented time, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude for your ongoing support and urge everyone to exercise the utmost precautionary measures to reduce the spread of Coronavirus in Atlanta. We are in this together, and we’re going to get through it together as a stronger, better community.”
[Editor’s note: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is rapidly evolving as is its effect on Atlanta, and the City’s businesses and its residents. Click here for What Now Atlanta’s ongoing coverage of the crisis. For guidance and updates on the pandemic, please visit the C.D.C. website.]
One Response
Anyone who has walked the Beltline in the last few days knows that no one is paying any attention to the signage or directives. Yesterday there was a Beltline sign promoting a Meditation Class near the H4WP Skate Park @ 6pm.
Clusters of skaters congregate in groups of 20+ with no social distancing. People are oblivious to the warnings. Going outside to clear your head and get some fresh air is good for the soul, but everyone needs to use common sense and do this off the Beltline.