Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Governor’s Declaration of Emergency, Savannah Mayor Van Johnson and Aldermen will hold daily updates, beginning Thursday, March 19, 2020 at 3 p.m., to discuss updates pertaining to COVID-19 measures, and updates on City operations and management.
These meetings will be available to the public via phone. The public may access the meeting at 1-425-436-6365, with access code 109735.
These are being put in the category of "Special Called Meetings" of City Council.
These meetings will be available to the public via phone. The public may access the meeting at 1-425-436-6365, with access code 109735.
These are being put in the category of "Special Called Meetings" of City Council.
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Mayor Van Johnson this Tuesday morning said that there will be no mandatory restrictions or curfews in place for the time being in response to COVID-19.
"We're asking people to stay home. That's the safest way for our citizens, if at all possible," the Mayor said.
"People have to use common sense. For bars and restaurants, that might mean look at going to half or a third of your [seating] capacity," he said.
Johnson said that while the Centers for Disease Control have recommended no in-person events larger than 50 people, "the President has advised limiting gatherings of ten people or more. So that leaves us in the middle somewhere."
Johnson advised that local events should follow the CDC guidelines.
"We cannot continue business as usual," he said. "We could be celebrating the Feast of St. Patrick today, but we're not doing that. That gives you an idea of the magnitude of what we face."
For social and religious events, such as weddings and funerals, Johnson said, "we have to look at postponing or something different to avoid bringing people together."
The City is encouraging all small businesses to apply for Small Business Association loans.
"It's reasonable to expect layoffs of staff are on the way which exacerbates the problem we have," Mayor Johnson said.
Lawton Davis, director of the local Health District, said "I fully support" the Mayor's decision and process.
As of this morning 121 cases have been reported in Georgia, with no confirmed cases in Chatham County or contiguous Georgia counties.
"My opinion is this will be longer rather than shorter," Davis said about the duration of the pandemic and associated measures.
Municipal services will continue, with possible measures to limit public access to some City buildings. Savannah City Council meetings are likely to go at least partially remote.
"We're asking people to stay home. That's the safest way for our citizens, if at all possible," the Mayor said.
"People have to use common sense. For bars and restaurants, that might mean look at going to half or a third of your [seating] capacity," he said.
Johnson said that while the Centers for Disease Control have recommended no in-person events larger than 50 people, "the President has advised limiting gatherings of ten people or more. So that leaves us in the middle somewhere."
Johnson advised that local events should follow the CDC guidelines.
"We cannot continue business as usual," he said. "We could be celebrating the Feast of St. Patrick today, but we're not doing that. That gives you an idea of the magnitude of what we face."
For social and religious events, such as weddings and funerals, Johnson said, "we have to look at postponing or something different to avoid bringing people together."
The City is encouraging all small businesses to apply for Small Business Association loans.
"It's reasonable to expect layoffs of staff are on the way which exacerbates the problem we have," Mayor Johnson said.
Lawton Davis, director of the local Health District, said "I fully support" the Mayor's decision and process.
As of this morning 121 cases have been reported in Georgia, with no confirmed cases in Chatham County or contiguous Georgia counties.
"My opinion is this will be longer rather than shorter," Davis said about the duration of the pandemic and associated measures.
Municipal services will continue, with possible measures to limit public access to some City buildings. Savannah City Council meetings are likely to go at least partially remote.
The Neighborhood Dining Group (NDG), which owns Husk Savannah and several major restaurants in Charleston, S.C., and throughout the Southeast, announces the "immediate temporary closure of all our restaurants, effective March 17, 2020. Our communities deserve the most cautious measures in these uncertain times, and we feel it is impossible to operate our businesses knowing our staff and guests are at risk, even with precautionary measures such as limiting guests and tables and extensive sanitation.and our restaurant ownership group than the safety and health of our guests, our staff, and the communities in which we serve," NDG said in a statement this morning.
"These unforeseen circumstances will cause temporary layoffs for our staff. Despite the significant financial challenges, we are making several commitments to our amazing team of nearly 500 employees," NDG says.
"All staff and management will receive compensation through March 29. Additionally, NDG will continue health insurance benefits through April 30. After that, we expect staff to be able to take advantage of unemployment insurance and any federal assistance offered. We will re-evaluate this evolving situation at the end of April."
The Neighborhood Dining Group includes Husk (Charleston, Nashville, Savannah, & Greenville), McCrady's (Charleston), Minero (Charleston & Atlanta) and Delaney Oyster House (Charleston).
"These unforeseen circumstances will cause temporary layoffs for our staff. Despite the significant financial challenges, we are making several commitments to our amazing team of nearly 500 employees," NDG says.
"All staff and management will receive compensation through March 29. Additionally, NDG will continue health insurance benefits through April 30. After that, we expect staff to be able to take advantage of unemployment insurance and any federal assistance offered. We will re-evaluate this evolving situation at the end of April."
The Neighborhood Dining Group includes Husk (Charleston, Nashville, Savannah, & Greenville), McCrady's (Charleston), Minero (Charleston & Atlanta) and Delaney Oyster House (Charleston).
Monday, March 16, 2020
Savannah Classical Academy (SCA) announces that the school campus, located at 705 E. Anderson Street, "will transition from on campus instruction to distance learning after Spring break concludes at the end of this week," a spokesperson says.
All classes at SCA will take place using an online format beginning on March 24, 2020 when students return to their studies to complete the semester’s curriculum.
All classes at SCA will take place using an online format beginning on March 24, 2020 when students return to their studies to complete the semester’s curriculum.
Sunday, March 15, 2020
While saying that they have so far "not received any patients who have tested positive for COVID-19," Memorial Health Hospital announced Sunday afternoon several changes to its entrance protocol, effective Mon. March 16.
Public entrances to the hospital will be:
• ER (24/7)
Monday – Friday
• Main Hospital Entrance (5:30am – 7pm)
• Heart & Vascular Institute (5am – 7pm)
• Day Surgery (4:30am – 4pm)
Weekends
• Main Hospital Entrance (7am – 7pm)
• Heart & Vascular Institute (7am – 7pm)
Additional visitation restrictions will be implemented:
• Only one (1) well adult visitor per patient at all times
• Visitation hours are 6am – 7pm
• Children 18 and under will not be allowed to visit
"Special consideration will be given to those in critical care, neonatal intensive care unit, maternity center and at the Children’s Hospital, on a case-by-case basis," a spokesperson says.
When visitors or patients arrive on campus, "they should utilize the public entrances. Greeters will be screening at those entrances with a list of basic questions to help ensure that patients get the care they need while not potentially exposing others to the virus."
Please do not visit the hospital if you:
• Have a fever
• Have a cough or shortness of breath and have traveled outside the US in the past 14 days
• Have had direct contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19
Public entrances to the hospital will be:
• ER (24/7)
Monday – Friday
• Main Hospital Entrance (5:30am – 7pm)
• Heart & Vascular Institute (5am – 7pm)
• Day Surgery (4:30am – 4pm)
Weekends
• Main Hospital Entrance (7am – 7pm)
• Heart & Vascular Institute (7am – 7pm)
Additional visitation restrictions will be implemented:
• Only one (1) well adult visitor per patient at all times
• Visitation hours are 6am – 7pm
• Children 18 and under will not be allowed to visit
"Special consideration will be given to those in critical care, neonatal intensive care unit, maternity center and at the Children’s Hospital, on a case-by-case basis," a spokesperson says.
When visitors or patients arrive on campus, "they should utilize the public entrances. Greeters will be screening at those entrances with a list of basic questions to help ensure that patients get the care they need while not potentially exposing others to the virus."
Please do not visit the hospital if you:
• Have a fever
• Have a cough or shortness of breath and have traveled outside the US in the past 14 days
• Have had direct contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19
Thursday, March 12, 2020
In an announcement tonight, Savannah College of Art and Design says it will close its decade-old campus in Hong Kong.
"In recent months, SCAD has given careful thought to the future of our Hong Kong location. The university prioritizes student safety and academic quality above all else, and after a comprehensive analysis, SCAD has decided to discontinue instruction at our Hong Kong location after the Spring 2020 quarter concludes. SCAD Hong Kong will continue to teach classes virtually through the end of the Spring 2020 quarter."
The building which SCAD restored and used for classes will be turned over.
"When SCAD's lease on the magistracy building expires this summer, the university will return the building to the Hong Kong Development Bureau, who will determine the historic landmark's next purpose," SCAD says.
On the issue of current students, SCAD says "All of the degree programs offered at SCAD Hong Kong are taught at other SCAD locations and/or online via SCAD eLearning. We plan to offer each student in good standing an opportunity to transition to SCAD Atlanta, SCAD Savannah, or SCAD eLearning to continue progressing toward their degrees."
Read more here.
"In recent months, SCAD has given careful thought to the future of our Hong Kong location. The university prioritizes student safety and academic quality above all else, and after a comprehensive analysis, SCAD has decided to discontinue instruction at our Hong Kong location after the Spring 2020 quarter concludes. SCAD Hong Kong will continue to teach classes virtually through the end of the Spring 2020 quarter."
The building which SCAD restored and used for classes will be turned over.
"When SCAD's lease on the magistracy building expires this summer, the university will return the building to the Hong Kong Development Bureau, who will determine the historic landmark's next purpose," SCAD says.
On the issue of current students, SCAD says "All of the degree programs offered at SCAD Hong Kong are taught at other SCAD locations and/or online via SCAD eLearning. We plan to offer each student in good standing an opportunity to transition to SCAD Atlanta, SCAD Savannah, or SCAD eLearning to continue progressing toward their degrees."
Read more here.
The Savannah College of Art and Design announced this morning that all Spring Quarter classes will be online-only, and Spring 2020 commencement cermonies have been canceled.
This decision applies to all SCAD campuses.
"As you know, the university has made the difficult decision that out of concern for the health and well-being of our students, faculty and staff, and in adherence with the most current guidelines from the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control, we will not hold regular, on-ground classes in Atlanta, Hong Kong, Savannah or Lacoste during the spring quarter, and all classes will be held online," a SCAD spokesperson says.
"In addition, spring break will be extended by one week, in order to help students who need to make travel arrangements. Spring classes will begin online on Monday, March 30, 2020 for students at all locations, and the spring quarter will be condensed in order to end on the original date, Thursday, May 28. Spring 2020 commencement ceremonies have been canceled at all SCAD locations. In addition, all spring activities like Sidewalk Arts Festival, Family and Alumni Weekend, and intercollegiate athletics have been canceled; more information will be forthcoming."
This decision applies to all SCAD campuses.
"As you know, the university has made the difficult decision that out of concern for the health and well-being of our students, faculty and staff, and in adherence with the most current guidelines from the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control, we will not hold regular, on-ground classes in Atlanta, Hong Kong, Savannah or Lacoste during the spring quarter, and all classes will be held online," a SCAD spokesperson says.
"In addition, spring break will be extended by one week, in order to help students who need to make travel arrangements. Spring classes will begin online on Monday, March 30, 2020 for students at all locations, and the spring quarter will be condensed in order to end on the original date, Thursday, May 28. Spring 2020 commencement ceremonies have been canceled at all SCAD locations. In addition, all spring activities like Sidewalk Arts Festival, Family and Alumni Weekend, and intercollegiate athletics have been canceled; more information will be forthcoming."
Wednesday, March 11, 2020
The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is awaiting confirmatory testing from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on five new presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in Georgia. The additional cases are in Charlton County, Fulton County and three in Cobb County.
All but one individual (Fulton) are hospitalized. One of the Cobb presumptive positives has a travel history outside of the country, the sources of the other infections are unknown.
Confirmed cases of COVID-19 and presumed positive cases of COVID-19 are broken down by county as follows:
Confirmed COVID-19 (6)
Fulton County 3
Floyd County 1
Polk County 1
Cobb 1
Presumptive Positive COVID-19 (16)
Fulton 3
Cobb 6
Fayette 1
DeKalb 2
Gwinnett 2
Cherokee 1
Charlton 1
All but one individual (Fulton) are hospitalized. One of the Cobb presumptive positives has a travel history outside of the country, the sources of the other infections are unknown.
Confirmed cases of COVID-19 and presumed positive cases of COVID-19 are broken down by county as follows:
Confirmed COVID-19 (6)
Fulton County 3
Floyd County 1
Polk County 1
Cobb 1
Presumptive Positive COVID-19 (16)
Fulton 3
Cobb 6
Fayette 1
DeKalb 2
Gwinnett 2
Cherokee 1
Charlton 1
Late Tuesday evening, Governor Kemp and Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security (GEMA) Director Homer Bryson provided an update on seven emergency mobile units being deployed to Hard Labor Creek State Park in Morgan County.
The Governor's Office confirmed "that the first patient, an individual from Cherokee County who has tested positive for the virus, has now been isolated on the state park grounds in one of the mobile units," a spokesperson says.
"The individual was not able to isolate at their primary residence and was not in critical condition requiring any hospital admittance. State public health officials determined that a specific part of Hard Labor Creek State Park would be best suited for isolation as the individual is treated by medical professionals."
"This site was specifically chosen for its isolation from the general public and ability to house mobile units in the short term," said GEMA Director Homer Bryson. "State public health staff will monitor the individual's progress and work together with state law enforcement to ensure the safety of the community and the patient."
The isolated site at Hard Labor Creek State Park is closed to public access and closely monitored twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week by state law enforcement.
The Governor's Office confirmed "that the first patient, an individual from Cherokee County who has tested positive for the virus, has now been isolated on the state park grounds in one of the mobile units," a spokesperson says.
"The individual was not able to isolate at their primary residence and was not in critical condition requiring any hospital admittance. State public health officials determined that a specific part of Hard Labor Creek State Park would be best suited for isolation as the individual is treated by medical professionals."
"This site was specifically chosen for its isolation from the general public and ability to house mobile units in the short term," said GEMA Director Homer Bryson. "State public health staff will monitor the individual's progress and work together with state law enforcement to ensure the safety of the community and the patient."
The isolated site at Hard Labor Creek State Park is closed to public access and closely monitored twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week by state law enforcement.
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
Connect Savannah can confirm reports from earlier this afternoon that both the City of Savannah 'Festival of St. Patrick' this weekend and the St. Patrick's Day Parade on Tuesday have been potentially "postponed," and possibly canceled, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
However, no other events have been canceled as of this time.
A statement by the Tourism Leadership Council made the rounds announcing the events being canceled for their scheduled dates this weekend and March 17.
The decision was made at some point earlier this afternoon in meetings with local leaders and members of the St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee, a private organization.
The Savannah City Council will hold an "emergency" meeting at 5:30 Wednesday to discuss the matter, followed by a press conference with Mayor Johnson and local leaders at 6 p.m.
As late as 4 p.m., some members of City Council were unaware of the meeting or any decisions that might have been made.
All the major St. Patrick's Day parades in the United States have announced cancellations over the past few days, including New York, Chicago, Boston, and New Orleans.
We will provide updated information as it's available.
However, no other events have been canceled as of this time.
A statement by the Tourism Leadership Council made the rounds announcing the events being canceled for their scheduled dates this weekend and March 17.
The decision was made at some point earlier this afternoon in meetings with local leaders and members of the St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee, a private organization.
The Savannah City Council will hold an "emergency" meeting at 5:30 Wednesday to discuss the matter, followed by a press conference with Mayor Johnson and local leaders at 6 p.m.
As late as 4 p.m., some members of City Council were unaware of the meeting or any decisions that might have been made.
All the major St. Patrick's Day parades in the United States have announced cancellations over the past few days, including New York, Chicago, Boston, and New Orleans.
We will provide updated information as it's available.
Tags: Savannah , St. Patrick's Day , Coronavirus , COVID-19 , Van Johnson
