McCaysville declares Public Health Emergency

McCaysville, Ga. – The McCaysville City Council held an emergency special called meeting to address concerns from the citizens regarding the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The purpose of this meeting was to declare a Public Health Emergency within the city and to lay out how city businesses and functions would be handled moving forward.

“It’s only a matter of time before we get a positive case here in the county,” Dr. Dillon Miller of Blue Ridge Medical Group spoke with the council. “If I were a betting man, I would say that within the next week we’re going to have a positive test come back for the county.” 

Miller said that over the last week there have been testings for Covid-19 in the double digits run in Fannin County. He added that with the influx of people coming to our area from “hot zones” like Atlanta, that it could “create the perfect storm for spreading the disease”.

The council voted unanimously to pass the emergency ordinance after being informed that a small number of  businesses were not willing to voluntarily comply. 

The ordinance states that beginning March 25, 2020 at 9:00 p.m. all gatherings or events of 10 or more people, outside of private households, are prohibited.

• All bars, restaurants, or establishments that sell food and beverages can offer take out only, and dining is prohibited on the property of these establishments.

• All gyms, fitness centers, movie theaters, live performance venues, bowling alleys, pools, arcades, parlors, nail salons, hair salons, private social clubs or any facility used for entertainment, social and grooming must be closed to in person events.

• Essential stores allowed to stay open, such as grocery stores and pharmacies, must post signage on their doors informing customers to stay at least 6 feet apart and cannot allow more than 10 people in the establishment at a time.

The McCaysville Police Department has been tasked with enforcing the new ordinance. The ordinance will expire in 30 days of passing but does have the option for council to renew for an additional 30 days.