Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms signed legislation—sponsored by Councilmembers Andre Dickens and Marci Collier Overstreet—allowing the City to temporarily reduce Concessionaire and Car Rental Company rental requirements by suspending the Minimum Annual Guarantee (MAG) payment obligation in the Concessions and Consolidated Car Rental Agreements for a period of four (4) months, ending on June 30, 2020.

The legislation is designed to allow companies to use four months of rental funds to provide relief to employees experiencing reduced hours and lost wages as a result of the COVID-19 health threat. The Administration is taking a holistic approach to dealing with the impact COVID-19 will have on concessionaires and airlines.

“Atlanta families—many of whom are already living paycheck to paycheck—will be overburdened if we do not provide much-needed economic relief immediately,” said Mayor Bottoms. “We are asking our business partners to continue showing compassion toward their employees, and when possible, provide continuity of pay for their hourly associates.”

At the expiration of the initial four-month period, the City may extend this Temporary Emergency Rental Payment for an additional 30 day period, at its sole discretion, if the COVID-19 Pandemic is still active and it is in the best interest of the City. Once the Emergency Rental Payment term expires, Concessionaires are required to resume rental payments as outlined in the Rental Payment section of the Concessions and/or Consolidated Car Rental Agreement.

“Mayor Bottoms and I acted quickly to draft legislation that passed unanimously so airport concessionaires and car rentals can stay open and pay employees while sales are low due to air travel being extremely reduced,” said Councilmember Dickens.

“We are thankful that the Mayor and City Council were able to find a way to give our concessionaires some much needed relief by reducing their rent during these uncertain times,” said Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport General Manager John Selden. “Further, in an effort to mitigate the financial impact to our airline partners, the Department of Aviation is working closely with the Mayor on a plan to issue advanced credits that will give these partners immediate rent relief. The relief should help stabilize our airline partners as they deal with any financial hardships caused by the pandemic.”

To combat the COVID-19 health threat, Mayor Bottoms issued an updated Executive Order prohibiting public gatherings and events of 50 or more persons within the City of Atlanta until March 31, 2020; as well as an Executive Order requiring restaurants, bars, gyms, movie theatres, clubs, and other public gathering spots to limit their occupancy to no more than 50 people.

Mayor Bottoms also issued a directive for the Centers of Hope Afterschool program to continue to provide free meals to all students who rely on them throughout the closure of schools. For more information on the Centers of Hope Afterschool Program and Registration, please visit the Official Website.

Chief among the City’s guidance to residents and visitors are the following preventative measures:

1. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not   available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

3. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

4. Stay home when you are sick.

5. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

6. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

7. If you have recently returned from a country with ongoing COVID-19 infections monitor your health and follow the instructions of public health officials