No permits for events at City of Savannah facilities until Oct. 31

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Savannah Mayor Van Johnson announced that the city won’t be giving out permits for events at city facilities or spaces during the weekly COVID-19 update on Tuesday.

“Based on our science, activities in the city of Savannah facilities are now canceled through October 31,” Mayor Johnson said.

He said they will re-evaluate their status and decide in early October on what they will do for the remainder of the year.

Watch a replay below:

#WATCH: Mayor Van Johnson is holding his weekly briefing on COVID-19's spread through Savannah.
Posted by WTOC-TV on Tuesday, August 18, 2020

Several marquee events normally held in the fall in Savannah have decided to postpone this year, opting to look ahead to 2021 due to concerns over COVID-19.

The latest is the Rock N Roll Savannah Marathon and half marathon that were scheduled for the first weekend of November.

And at Tuesday’s COVID-19 update at City Hall, Savannah Mayor Van Johnson said the City will hold off on permitting events inside City facilities.

For Mayor Johnson and City staff, following the science and the number of COVID-19 cases in Savannah led them to halt permitting events in City facilities until October 31st.

That includes any permitted events in squares, parks, and running events.

“If we get to October and our numbers are better, then let’s look at November and December,” said Mayor Johnson.

Mayor Johnson also clarified what businesses will still be held to the mask order, per City rules, saying trolleys, walking tours, pedicabs, horse-drawn Carriage’s and quadricycles.

“It is still in the public space, on public property, therefore our mandate stands.”

The Mayor pointed out applying for certain CARES Act money also opened this afternoon. He says any Savannah business trying to get SBAC recovery loans needs to reach out, but explained that only applies to Savannah businesses.

“We can only use Savannah’s CARES allocation to benefit Savannah residents and Savannah businesses.”

Savannah allocated $2 million in CARES act funding to help the SBAC fund.

Businesses interested in applying for the funding can call 912-232-4700, or visit this website.

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