In the latest effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus, Athens-Clarke County closed all public parks, trails and leisure services Monday.
This action comes less than two weeks after the Athens-Clarke County Commission passed a mandatory shelter in place order, AJC.com previously reported. That order instructed residents to remain in their homes except for essential purposes, which included parks and city leisure services up until Monday.
MORE: Athens passes mandatory 'shelter in place' order to try to quell coronavirus spread
Ben Burton Park, Dudley Park, the Greenway, Firefly Trail and Sandy Creek Nature Center trails are among the outdoor park areas to close, the county’s leisure services department said in a news release. Bear Hollow Zoo is also closed.
In addition, all outdoor basketball, tennis and pickleball courts will be locked. Sponsored events, programs and classes through the county’s leisure services department will also be canceled through April 24.
COMPLETE COVERAGE: Coronavirus in Georgia
As of 7 p.m. Monday, the Georgia Department of Public Health confirmed 47 cases of COVID-19 and five deaths resulting from the virus in Clarke County. More than 3,000 positive cases have been recorded statewide, with Georgia’s death toll rising to 102.
Athens-Clarke County was among the first to enact a mandatory shelter in place policy in an effort to quell the virus' spread. The ordinance limits public gatherings to fewer than 10 people but has several exceptions for essential services. Those services include obtaining groceries, medication, outdoor exercise and work-related responsibilities.
RELATED: Shelter in place order: What it means for you and local businesses
Atlanta and several other metro Atlanta cities and counties have also issued mandatory shelter in place orders or enacted curfews, but many city parks and trails have remained open.
Several government officials, including Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, have urged residents to avoid parks and paths, including the Beltline, unless absolutely necessary. Beltline President and CEO Clyde Higgs recently said the popular path should only be used for transportation to and from essential services, such as work or grocery stores.
MORE: Despite pleas from officials, Atlanta's parks and paths remain popular
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