The city of East Ridge issued a Civil Emergency and Proclamation Order on Wednesday regarding additional safety precautions and business restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a city news release.
In addition to an earlier proclamation that closed gyms, fitness centers, and limited restaurants to carry-out or drive through orders only, East Ridge will be requiring all non-essential businesses to temporarily close. The proclamation will take effect at 11 p.m. on Thursday, March 26.
“This order basically does not permit services which require close contact,” said East Ridge City Manager Chris Dorsey. “This includes businesses such as spas, beauty salons, tattoo parlors, and tanning salons. Businesses that cannot regulate social distancing requirements are also restricted, such as movie theaters, concert venues, and retail shopping malls.”
East Ridge City Mayor Brian Williams added that any business considered essential, such as “brick and mortar stores,” grocery stores, drug stores, and service stations, will remain open but are asked to follow safe social distance requirements with their customers. This includes maintaining reasonable efforts to keep customers six feet apart and frequent use of sanitizing products on common surfaces.
All public and private gatherings of more than ten people occurring outside a household are prohibited until further notice.