On Wednesday, April 15, 2020, members of the Coronavirus Task Force held a news conference to provide updates and to reiterate the revised Shelter-In-Place order and address other concerns. A press conference will be held again on Friday, April 17th, at 1 p.m. in Room 100 of the Government Center at 222 Pine Avenue.

This conference will not be open to the public, however, a Live Stream will be provided via the Dougherty County Georgia Government Facebook page. For those not on social media, WALB and WFXL will interrupt their regular programming at 1 p.m. to live stream the conference to viewers. Beginning next week, press conferences will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays of each week at 1 p.m., until further notice.

Dougherty County Chairman Christopher S. Cohilas and Mayor of Albany, Bo Dorough, reiterated an extension of the order issued by State of Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, which supersedes all previous local orders. The Governor has extended the Shelter In Place order through April 30, 2020, and the Declaration of Emergency for the State of Georgia through May 13, 2020, unless it is extended, rescinded, superseded, or amended in writing by Governor Kemp.

The City of Albany and Dougherty County will comply fully with the Governor’s order. Any businesses
with questions regarding essential and non-essential status, should contact the Georgia Department of Economic Development at 404.962.4000. For the full order issued by Governor Kemp, visit http://dougherty.ga.us/filestorage/1800/379008/379647/RenewedGovOrder_040820.pdf

At the press conference, Mayor and Chairman once again expressed condolences for the lives lost in the community and urged citizens to continue with being safe by practicing social distancing, wearing protective equipment, such as face masks, as well as staying home as much as possible. They also urged citizens to continue to contact the Emergency Operations Center at 229.302.1900 for questions and concerns about COVID19 in the area.

The Emergency Operations (EOC) Center officially opened on Monday, March 16, 2020, and continues to be open seven days a week, until further notice, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Updates will be provided each day from the EOC as details develop. Citizens can contact the EOC at 229.302.1900 for questions, concerns, and information on COVID-19.