BUFORD — The City of Buford has voted to adopt the State of Emergency declaration issued by Buford Commission Chairman, Phillip Beard. The declaration, which is effective at noon on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, calls for numerous businesses to close down part or all of their operations until further notice.
The Order calls for the closure of restaurant dining rooms, including patios and outdoor dining, and prohibits dine-in at these restaurants. Restaurants may continue to operate their drive-thru windows, curbside, takeout, and delivery services. The order allows restaurants to sell unopened bottles of beer and wine in their curbside and takeout operations.
In addition to the restrictions put on restaurants, the declaration calls for “the closure of all gyms, fitness centers/studios, movie theaters, live performance venues, bowling alleys, arcades, nail salons, hair salons, and entertainment centers and other similar establishments within the corporate limits of Buford.” Home hair and nail salons are exempt from this order.
The declaration goes on to back the Executive Orders issued by Gov. Kemp on March 23 calling for bars to close, those who are medically fragile to quarantine themselves, and that public gatherings of more than 10 people must be able to separate each person by six feet or must cancel/postpone the gathering. The Buford Community Center is postponing or canceling all performances and gatherings where more than 10 people are involved.
The order also closes city parks until April 30, 2020, and extends the City’s Occupational Tax (business licenses) from the March 31 deadline to May 29.
City Hall is closed to the public except for scheduled appointments. The drive-thru is still open for customers to utilize.
With all of the business closures forcing residents out of work, the City has given its utility customers a bit of breathing room for now. The order states that customers’ utilities will not be disconnected so long as this order is in place and the emergency has been lifted.
For additional information, visit the City of Buford’s website.
