Employees from at least one metro Atlanta won’t be returning to City Hall to kick off the new year.

Avondale Estates announced Thursday that it’s closing its City Hall through Jan. 14 “to mitigate exposure” to COVID-19′s omicron variant, according to a news release. City employees will work remotely during that time frame, and residents will not be able to enter the building.

In observation of the New Year’s Day holiday, most local government buildings will be closed Friday and will reopen Monday. Avondale Estates spokeswoman Ellen Powell told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that multiple city employees tested positive for COVID-19 recently, prompting the city to extend the closure of its City Hall and adjust its services.

To mitigate exposure to the omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus to residents, staff and others, City Hall will be...

Posted by City of Avondale Estates on Wednesday, December 29, 2021

The city implemented other new measures for the new few weeks. City meetings will take place virtually and municipal court services are suspended.

Public works services will also experience some changes. Residents are asked to move their garbage containers to the curb, since back-door sanitation collection is suspended. In addition, yard waste and Christmas trees will not be picked up until after Jan. 14. Recycling will continue to be picked up as scheduled by the city’s contractor.

“We remain committed to the City’s well-being and safety and will reevaluate the situation at the end of this period,” the release said. “Thank you for your continued cooperation and support of the City of Avondale Estates.”

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