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State and local officials are urging churches in Northwest Georgia to completely suspend services as the coronavirus outbreak continues to spread across the state.
On Friday afternoon, Chattooga County Commissioner Jason Winters and Sheriff Mark Schrader urged church leaders to cancel all upcoming services for at least two weeks.
Rep. Colton Moore, R-Trenton, advised in a public announcement video Thursday night that all of his District 1 constituents should not congregate at church until the coronavirus outbreak is contained.
In a joint statement, Winters and Schrader said they appreciate those pastors and other church leaders who have already suspended service and switched to using social media as a way to meet.
As of noon Friday, no cases were confirmed in Chattooga or Dade counties, but health experts say it is inevitable that it will spread virtually everywhere.
"With rising numbers within our own state, we must continue to be proactive in taking steps to ensure social distancing and limiting exposure for all of our residents," the statement said. "Especially those in the high risk groups."
"By warning of the Governor, I would ask that everyone in our community please refrain from attending church services or funerals for the time being," Moore said.
Winters and Schrader said if services continue, Sunday School classes should not be held in small areas, meals should be served in large areas and members should not be in close proximity to each other.
"We know that the resources are already scarce in Atlanta, therefore the resources will be scarce when the pandemic reaches us," Moore said. "Please continue to read the good book, find your worship online and pray as much as you can as we go through a situation that no one has ever been through before."
Walker County's Public Health Department said on March 13 that churches should consider suspending public services over the next two to three weeks "until there is a clearer picture about how this virus will play out."
On Wednesday, Walker County Commissioner Shannon Whitfield declared a local state of emergency to protect the health and safety of the public during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Contact Patrick Filbin at pfilbin@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6476. Follow him on Twitter @PatrickFilbin.