Chairwoman Lisa Cupid extends Declaration of Emergency over COVID surge
The order is for another 30 days but will be reevaluated if the surge eases

January 20, 2022 - Chairwoman Lisa Cupid signed an extension to the current Declaration of Emergency over the surge in COVID cases, keeping the declaration in place through mid-February.

“The current surge caused by the omicron variant continues to have serious impacts on our local hospitals,” Chairwoman Cupid said.  “Cases remain well above high community spread, and until we get those numbers down we need to encourage residents to take precautions; to continue wearing masks, watching their distance, and washing their hands.  Those precautions are outlined in this order.”

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The order keeps the county’s Emergency Operations Plan in place, allows the county to hold all or portions of public meetings virtually, and encourages residents to take precautions, including getting vaccinated, to avoid further spread of the omicron variant of the virus.  The declaration could be ended early if public health officials say the situation warrants it.

In the meantime, County Manager Dr. Jackie McMorris says mask requirements inside county government buildings will continue at least until the Declaration of Emergency expires.  Dr. McMorris says continued COVID cases and a rise in flu cases necessitate the action.  The limitation on the number of people allowed inside larger county facilities will end on January 31, 2022.

The policy requires masks to be worn while inside Cobb government buildings including libraries, indoor parks facilities, and senior centers.  This policy does NOT affect:

• Privately-run businesses in the county,
• The Cobb County School District which is governed by the Board of Education, and;
• The Cobb County court complex, where a judicial order continues to mandate the use of masks.