HINESVILLE, Ga. (September 03, 2021) – Today, Mayor Allen Brown signed an extension to the emergency order outlining mitigation efforts to help slow the spread of COVID-19 within the city of Hinesville. This emergency order comes in the wake of a dramatic increase in the community’s transmission index, which now rests around 1900 coronavirus cases per 100,000 residents. The emergency order requires all persons, regardless of their vaccination status, within the city limits to wear a face covering or mask in City-owned buildings and facilities, when attending a City-permitted event (indoor and outdoor) and while riding federally regulated transportation options, including Liberty Transit. Additionally, all restaurants, retail stores, grocery stores and pharmacies in the city are strongly encouraged to require employees wear a face covering or mask, while having face-to-face interactions with the public. The emergency order further outlines that anyone entering a commercial establishment in the city is strongly advised to wear a face covering. The emergency order states that any person who is unable to safely wear a face covering or mask due to age or an underlying health condition is exempt from the order. Those who are unable to remove a face covering or mask without assistance of others are also exempt from the order. Face coverings are not required in the following circumstances:

• When a person is alone in an enclosed space or only with other household members;

• During physical activity, provided the active person maintains a minimum of 6 feet from other people with whom they do not cohabitate;

• While drinking, eating or smoking;

• When wearing a face covering causes or aggravates a health condition;

• When wearing a face covering would prevent the receipt of personal services; and,

• When a person is 2 years of age or younger.

The order will go into effect at 12 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 7, and will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 8.

During the Hinesville City Council meeting, guidance was also provided on assembly permits, which are submitted by event organizers and approved by the City for community gatherings within the city limits involving 50 or more people.

The City Council voted to continue the moratorium of new assembly permits while the emergency order is in effect. For previously approved assembly permits, the City is requiring that event organizers submit a COVID-19 mitigation plan, complete with methods for providing face coverings and masks and standing up sanitization stations.

As the COVID-19 pandemic is fluid and ever changing, the City, with guidance from the City Council, will continue to monitor this virus’s impact on the community. Additional measures may be taken to protect the community and the emergency order may be extended until a sustained decline in cases can be reached.