Residents of Jackson and Madison County were issued a ‘Shelter-at-Home’ order by City Mayor Scott Conger and Jimmy Harris mayor of Madison County, during a press conference at City Hall, Friday.

The order – which hopes to help stop the spreading of COVID-19 –  becomes effective at 12:01 a.m., Sunday, April 5, and extends for seven days.

Conger said all individuals living in the City of Jackson are ordered to ‘Shelter-at-Home,’ at their place of residence unless otherwise exempted as outlined in the Order.

“Residences include hotels, motels, shared rental units and similar facilities,” Conger said, “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.”

Conger said people may leave their place of residence only for life sustaining activities, essestial government functions, or to operate life sustaining service businesses as defined in the Order.

“All businesses that are not life-sustaining shall cease operations effective Sunday, April 5, 2020, at 12:01 a.m., except to conduct minimum basic operations,” Conger said, “In-person retail businessess that provide life-sustaining goods, as well as businesses that supply life-sustaining retail and their administrative support operations.”

Conger said the life-sustaining retail includes – Hardware stores and businesses that sell electrical, plumbing and heating material; agricultural supply and equipment stores; medical product supply and equipment stores; stores supplying first responders and other critical government and healthcare workers.

The most noticeable Order dealt with supermarkets and grocery stores, which is aimed to prevent mass community spread of COVID-19.

Conger said no more than 20 percent of stated fire capacity in the store at a time, and store’s are required to have personnel to count the number of customers entering and exiting the store to enforce limits.

Additionally –

All evictions and service of process relating to evictions are hereby suspended in the city limits of Jackson.

Mass Gatherings – all public and private gathering of more than 10 people occuring outside a single household or living unit – including churches – are prohibited.

Funerals, Celebrations of Life, Cremation Services and Memorial Services shall only be attended by close family or less than 10 people per venue in accordance with Gov. Bill Lee’s Executive Order.

Jimmy Harris said officers with the Jackson Police Department or Madison County Sheriff’s Department will not stop drivers and ask ‘where are you going … but know that the ability is there.”

Harris said parks in the county remain open, but there are restrictions.

“Restrooms are closed, and there is no use of the playgrounds … no organized games,” Harris said, “But, it doesn’t prohibit a dad and his child to go out and throw a ball.”

Harris said the County continues to follow the lead of the Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department.

“We take our guidance from the health department to say what’s safe and what’s not safe,” Harris said, “These declarations … the time frame is seven days … it either expires – or we renew.”

David Thomas, Twitter – @DavidThomasWNWS
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