The Macon-Bibb County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and Recreation Department are now making hand sanitizer available for free at all ten recreation centers, along with the face masks and gloves that have been handed out the past several weeks. People can visit any of the recreation centers listed below Monday – Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (or until supplies run out) to pick up 10 masks, five pairs of gloves, and four bottles of hand sanitizer.

“There’s an obvious need in our community for these supplies, as we’ve seen the demand every week and by the number of positive COVID-19 cases,” says EMA Director Spencer Hawkins. “If we’re going to protect Middle Georgia and each other, we have to do everything we can to make sure people have what they need.”

Hand sanitizer was first handed out from the recreation centers on Wednesday and Thursday, September 2 and 3, and 4,605 were provided free to people there picking up masks and gloves those two days. Since these distributions began on August 10, 66,134 face masks and 49,722 gloves have been provided free to the community.

In addition to the masks and gloves at the recreation centers, the EMA has also put more than 25,000 in more than 500 departmental vehicles, including those with the Sheriff’s Office, Parks & Beautification Department, Public Works Department, and Facilities Management Department.

“We want to make sure everyone has a mask, especially now that wearing them is required. Our goal is to make sure people remain healthy, and we would rather give them what they need than write a ticket,” says Bibb County Sheriff David Davis.

Recreation Centers

• Delores A. Brooks Recreation Center (3326 Ocmulgee East Boulevard)
• Elaine H. Lucas Senior Center (132 Willie Smokie Glover Drive)
• Frank Johnson Recreation Center (2227 Mercer University Drive)
• Freedom Park (3301 Roff Avenue)
• Gilead/Bloomfield Recreation Center (1931 Rocky Creek Road)
• L.H. Williams Recreation Center (325 Pursley Street)
• Memorial Gym (763 Long Street)
• Rosa Jackson Recreation Center (1211 Maynard Street)
• South Bibb Recreation Center (7035 Houston Road)
• Theron Ussery Recreation Center (815 North Macon Park Drive)

Mask Mandate & Preventative Measures

At a Special Called Meeting on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, the Macon-Bibb County Commission approved two mandates requiring people to wear face masks or coverings when in public and in government facilities and vehicles, both when social distancing cannot be maintained. Both were passed in an ongoing effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect Middle Georgia.

One requires people to wear a face mask or covering when in public places and a good social distance of six feet from other people who do not share the same household, cannot be maintained. The other states no employee nor member of the public shall be admitted to any county property or to use a county vehicle unless he or she is wearing a face covering or mask.

In addition to requiring face masks or coverings in public and in government facilities to help protect Middle Georgia and slow the spread of COVID-19, officials are asking people to follow ALL guidelines from the CDC guidelines, including:

• Monitor your health daily and get tested if you show symptoms or believe you’ve come in contact with someone who has tested positive;
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds;
• Avoid close contact with people, meaning at least six feet away;
• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze; and
• Clean and disinfect surfaces.

Both Ordinances outline exceptions, and businesses and organizations can also opt out of this mandate by posting the appropriate signage, an example of which is included with the Ordinance. To read in what situations masks are not required, read the penalties for people not complying with the Ordinances, and print off the opt-out signage, click here. Even in places opting out of the mandate, the public is still strongly encouraged to wear face masks as a precautionary measure.