Coronavirus live updates: Columbus area COVID-19 news and updates for April 18

We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in the Chattahoochee Valley. Check back for updates.

Columbus residents could face legal action for non-essential travel

Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson in a video announcement Thursday again asked citizens to continue to stay at home or risk being cited by Columbus public safety officers, but backpedaled on Friday when asked if local law enforcement practices regarding COVID-19 protocol would change.

“Travel is confined to essential travel only,” Henderson said in the video Thursday, citing Gov. Brian Kemp’s shelter in place order, which currently extends through April 30. “We will have our public safety officers out this weekend and going forward asking the questions, asking what your essential business is, why you’re on the road.”

Both Columbus police officers and Muscogee County Sheriff’s deputies have the ability to cite citizens. Violating the governor’s order is a misdemeanor and those cited could see fines or jail time.

Columbus-area high schools planning alternative graduation ceremonies

Although schools are closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, COVID-19 isn’t stopping Columbus area school districts from creating alternative ways to conduct high school graduation ceremonies.

Muscogee County and Harris County will hold virtual graduations at various times next month, while other school districts will hold in-person ceremonies, but with strict social distancing guidelines.

Click here for a full list of ceremony plans from local-area school districts.

Columbus brewery transitions to making hand sanitizer

Chattabrewchee Southern Brewhouse, 1301 Sixth Avenue, is now producing hand sanitizer and making it available for sale to the public. Brian Dunne, general manager of Chattabrewchee, said a growing demand for hand sanitizer coupled with the FDA allowing small breweries to produce the product on site has helped make this initiative possible.

The sanitizer is produced through a process known as “compounding” and made of a mix of isopropyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, glycerin and filtered water, Dunne said.