Rockdale County Remains Closed with Shelter in Place Continuing

ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. – Rockdale County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), based on information received from the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), strongly advises all Rockdale County residents to continue to shelter in place. Additionally, in the best interest and safety of the public and all citizens, it is recommended that businesses close operations until shelter-in-place is lifted.

This information is based on air quality surveys conducted by EPA and EPD, which revealed the harmful irritant chlorine, which was detected in the air emitting from the incident location of Bio Lab. For everyone sheltering in place, the best practice is to turn the air conditioning off and keep windows and doors shut.

On the Georgia Department of Transportation recommendation, Interstate 20 will remain closed eastbound and westbound from Turner Hill Rd to Almon Rd. The need to keep Interstate 20 closed is based on unpredictable path and wind direction, which could change the direction of the irritants in the air.

Please continue to monitor Rockdale County’s social media and website (www.rockdalecountyga.gov) for all updates, as this information is fluid.

The public is asked to please NOT CALL 911 FOR NON-EMERGENCY situations. We are experiencing an overload of calls and need to keep lines open for critical emergencies only. For non-emergency situations, citizens can call the EMA Hotline at 770-278-8300 or the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at 770-278-8200.

We appreciate the public’s patience during this incident.