Columbus mayor extends coronavirus emergency order through end of April. Here’s what’s new

Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson on Tuesday extended his declaration of local emergency through April 30.

The declaration, which he issued March 20, set local parameters for social distancing and business operations to limit the spread of COVID-19.

The declaration was formally accepted by Columbus Council at its March 24 meeting, where the order was extended from a cutoff date of April 4 to a date of April 6 to coincide with a March 23 order from Governor Brian Kemp that placed less stringent rules in place on a state level.

Henderson ordered no public or private gatherings of more than 10 people anywhere in the city, indoors or out, and closed businesses such as bars and body care service providers such as hair salons, barber shops and tattoo parlors. Restaurants are allowed to remain open but serve only delivery or curbside pickup, and businesses under 30,000 square feet are limited to 10 customers at a time while businesses larger than that can have no more than 50 customers at one time.

The extension also includes an amendment that prohibits consumption of curbside delivery or take out at any outdoor seating on the premises of or adjoining the restaurant. This amendment takes effect on midnight March 31.

Prohibited gatherings do not include the following, so long as persons in attendance are not within six feet of each other for extended periods:

• Spaces where people are in transit or waiting for transit such as airports, bus stations or terminals
• Office or manufacturing space
• Child care facilities
• Residential buildings
• Any type of temporary sheltering or housing
• Grocery stores or pharmacies
• Hospitals or medical facilities

After citizens congregated in large numbers at local open air parks, Henderson issued an amendment to the declaration on March 27 that states outdoor areas of city parks and restrooms can remain open as long as “six foot social distancing is practiced.”

All other facilities and recreational equipment located within the parks are off limits through April 30, including but not limited to tennis courts, basketball courts, volley ball courts, exercise stations, pavilions and playground equipment.

This story was originally published March 31, 2020 at 2:31 PM.