Brookhaven extends COVID-19 emergency declaration to Nov. 30

Brookhaven, GA, Sept. 24, 2020 – At its regular business meeting on Sept. 22, the Brookhaven City Council extended the public health emergency declaration due to the proliferation of the COVID-19 pandemic until Nov. 30.  The original emergency declaration was made in March and has been amended and extended several times since.

Under the current ordinance, organized gatherings of 30 or more people on City-owned property remain prohibited. Restaurants shall continue to operate under the terms of the previous declaration, including encouraging take out and permitting take-away delivery of alcoholic beverages by the drink. Regulations governing occupancy, capacity, or limits on outdoor space are suspended for the duration of this order, except for the limits imposed herein for social distancing and gatherings as established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Last month, also Brookhaven approved an ordinance requiring the use of face masks in public places within Brookhaven to prevent the escalating spread of COVID-19.  Under the ordinance, all persons are required to wear a mask or face covering while outdoors in an environment in which people who do not reside in the same household cannot maintain at least six feet of physical distance from one another.

“Since February, the City of Brookhaven has been taking a myriad of education and enforcement efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus,” said Mayor John Ernst.  “With thousands of COVID cases being reported every day, we must continue to be proactive to ensure the health and well-being of the general public.”

Exceptions to the face mask requirement includes:

• In personal vehicles or upon residential property
• When a person is alone in enclosed spaces or only with other household members
• Individuals who have a bona fide religious objection to wearing a facial covering or mask
• While drinking or eating
• When wearing a facial covering or mask would prevent the receipt of personal services or performing work in the course of employment
• When complying with the directions of a law enforcement officer
• Children under the age of 10 years

Additional restrictions and requirements may be applicable with organized league play in the City parks.

Businesses can opt out of enforcement of this ordinance by posting a clearly legible sign at all public entrances of such entity stating: “This location does not consent to enforcement of any local face covering requirement upon this property.”  Any opt out of the enforcement of this ordinance must also email Brookhaven Police at maskoptout@brookhavenga.gov so that the Police Department can appropriately triage calls and complaints related to violations of this ordinance.