The
City of Blue Ridge believes we share a responsibility to help protect
our families and community. We are taking precautionary measures to help
limit the spread of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in our community. We are
encouraging everyone to stay home especially if you have any signs of
fever, cough or flu-like symptoms. Business
conducted by the City can be done efficiently by phone, email or
online. We encourage everyone to use these options during this time.
As of March 31, 2020 City Hall will be closed to the public. However, the drive-thru is now open to meet your needs, whether it be to make a payment, establish new service or inquire about a service. Also, don't forget that any payment can be placed in the night drop located at the back of the building.
The city hall phone number is 706-632-2091 and the emergency after hours
number is 706-455-0768. Please be patient as we are operating with a
limited staff.
Please take advantage of our online payment options!
For accurate and reliable information about COVID-19 state-wide log on to https://dph.georgia.gov/novelcoronavirus or https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
Social Media Resources:
Download the Apple
COVID-19 Screening Tool.
Follow the White House on
Twitter
and
Facebook.
Also follow HHS (
Twitter
Facebook)
and CDC (
Twitter/
Facebook).
You can also find informational videos from Coronavirus Task Force
members on mitigation, social distancing, etc. on the White
House’s
YouTube
page.
On
April 13th, Governor Kemp announced the launch of the COVID-19 virtual
screening offered by Augusta University Health System. Learn more about the screenings.
DPH News Release about COVID-19.
Sharp Increase in COVID-19 Cases & Death News Release
Additional COVID-19 Information
Most Recent:Georgia Situation Report
Additional Resources:
Coronavirus Rumor Control
FEMA has published this
active page
to help the public distinguish between rumors and facts regarding the response
to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rumors can easily circulate within communities during
a crisis, stay informed with FEMA updated myth vs. facts related to the federal
COVID-19 response.
Access the page.
Small Business Administration
Georgia SBA application approved! https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Declarations
Here is a good link to circulate for those with questions regarding the SBA Disaster Loan Program: SBA Disaster Loan Program
It outlines who is eligible, for how much they are eligible, and the process and requirements to receive the loan.
Georgia Department of Labor
The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) is beginning to see
an increase in the number of partial claims filed as a result of businesses
reducing work hours or temporarily closing their doors as a result of recent
developments of COVID-19. As of an emergency ruling this week by the
Commissioner of Labor Mark Butler, employers are mandated to electronically
file partial claims on behalf of their employees whenever it is necessary to
temporarily lay workers off. All Georgia employers will share in the cost
of unemployment benefits paid to employees temporarily displaced due to
COVID-19 easing the stress on business owners during this health crisis. These
emergency rulings will help to simplify the process and get workers paid. All
career centers are closed to the public, but employees are still working to
process claims. Additional information can be found on the following link https://dol.georgia.gov/blog/new-information-filing-unemployment-partial-claims-and-reemployment-services or by contacting Tammy Liner, Phone: 404.232.7383, Email: Tammy.Liner@gdol.ga.gov
Information for City employees from the Department of Labor regarding the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
Department of Driver Services
DDS has issued a 120-day extension for drivers 60 years old
and older in driver license renewals. The following link has details of the
extension and other related information.
https://dds.georgia.gov/coronavirus-covid-19
Home Energy Bills: Assistance to Low-Income Households
As Georgia residents
continue to shelter in place, the federal government has increased funds for
programs to help low income families stay comfortable. The Georgia Low Income
Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), is a federally funded program
administered by the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services to
help low-income households with their home energy bills. Information about
this program is available
here. Additionally, the Georgia
Environmental Finance Authority administers the
Weatherization Assistance Program, which
covers the costs of energy efficiency measures in dwellings owned or occupied
by low-income persons. Instructions for how to apply are
here.