ByWTOC Staff|March 19, 2020 at 4:22 PM EDT - Updated March 24 at 11:26 AM
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Savannah Mayor Van Johnson has issued an emergency declaration to try to limit the potential spread of COVID-19 in the city.
Mayor Johnson and the city of Savannah held a news conference Tuesday, March 24 at 10 a.m. to give an update. The mayor announced additional measures being put in place to battle the spread of COVID-19. He said as of Tuesday at 11:59 p.m., an amended Declaration of Local Emergency order will take effect and last through April 8. The order states the following:
All individuals currently living within the City of Savannah are ordered to shelter in their place of residence. To the extent individuals are using shared or outdoor spaces, they must at all times as reasonably possible maintain social distancing of at least six feet from any other person when they are outside their residence. All persons may leave their residence only for essential activities, essential governmental functions, or to operate essential businesses. Individuals experiencing homelessness are exempt but are strongly encouraged to obtain shelter, and entities offering shelter services are urged to make it available as soon as possible and to the maximum extent practicable (and to use COVID-19 risk mitigation practices in their operation).
Watch a replay of Tuesday’s news conference here:
Photo: WTOC