The following press release was issued by the City of Vidalia regarding COVID-19 operations.
The City of Vidalia wants to provide you with several updates as we approach our office reopening on Monday, June 1st. We are following the recommendations of the Georgia Municipal Association, the National Parks and Recreation Association, and our insurance provider as we continue to reopen. As a reminder, we also want you to continue to practice safety measures to keep the number of cases and deaths as low as possible during the pandemic. Please remember to visit our website (www.vidaliaga.gov) along with our Facebook pages for updates (City of Vidalia, Georgia Authorized Page, Vidalia Recreation Department, The Pal Theatre, Visit Vidalia).
For the staff’s safety and the safety of the citizens, the following steps will be taken to reopen:
- City offices – All city offices will reopen on Monday, June 1st with the following requirements:
a. Social Distance marking will be placed on floors
b. Hand sanitizer
c. Disinfectant wipes
d. Masks
e. Signage will be displayed to let everyone know that the masks are mandatory when entering a city office and all of the products mentioned above are available for public use
2. Municipal Annex during City Council/Municipal Court – The following procedures are required to be followed:
a. A mask must be worn to attend (Provided for public use if needed)
b. Temperature checks of all visitors will occur upon entrance to the Annex. Those with temperatures of 100.4 degrees or higher will be denied entry to the building.
c. Seating will be adjusted in the lobby area, Municipal Courtroom, and Council Chambers to provide social distancing for attendees.
3. Recreation Facilities
A. Neighborhood Parks and Playground areas will remain closed
B. Baseball/Softball/T-ball fields – This reopening will occur in three phases at the Ed Smith Complex and Vidalia Regional Sports Complex
a. Phase One (June 1st-7th) – This allows for Single/individual use – practicing skills alone or with household members
b. Phase Two (June 8th – 21st) – This allows for Small group use – training or practicing skills with a non-household member limiting the sharing of equipment
c. Phase Three (June 22nd and beyond) – This allows for Group use – pick up or organized game play with non-household members and shared equipment
- Tennis/Pickle Ball Courts – This reopening will occur in three phases at the Ed Smith Complex
a. Phase One (June 1st-7th) – This allows for Single/individual use – practicing skills alone or with household members
b. Phase Two (June 8th – 21st) – This allows for Small group use – playing a match with a non-household member limiting the sharing of equipment
c. Phase Three (June 22nd and beyond) – This allows for Group use – Playing a match with non-household members with no efforts to minimize equipment sharing
- Basketball Court at Darby Gym – This reopening will occur in three phases and will be conducted through a sign-up sheet (2 hour intervals) at the Recreation Office.
a. Phase One (Maximum of 15 people per two-hour interval) (June 1st-7th) – This allows for Single/individual use – shooting hoops by oneself or with household
b. Phase Two (Maximum of 30 people per two-hour interval) (June 8th – 21st) – This allows for Small group use – shooting hoops with non-household members limiting the sharing of equipment
c. Phase Three (No Maximum) (June 22nd and beyond) – This allows for Group use – pick up or organized game play with non-household members and shared equipment
- Aquatics Facility/Pool – This reopening will begin on Monday June 15th with a maximum capacity of 100 people
a. Swim lesson registration will begin on Monday June 1st
b. Swim team registration will begin on Monday June 1st
c. Pool rentals will begin on Monday June 15th with a maximum capacity of 25 people
- Rental Facilities - The Pal Theatre, Dixon Building, Community Center, and the Stage at City Park will remain closed due to size of facilities, gathering limits, and social distancing. We will continue to evaluate facilities following the issuance of further guidance from Executive Orders relating to social distancing.
Please continue to do your part to help reduce COVID-19 in our community!
