In order to celebrate the holidays with our families, City Hall will be closed for the following days:
December 23 (Wednesday) - Closing at noon
December 24-25 (Thursday-Friday) - Closed
December 30 (Wednesday) - Closing at noon
December 31 (Thursday) - Closed
January 1 (Friday) - Closed
Any payment left in the drop box during the closures will not be considered late. If you put your Occupational Tax (Business License) into the drop box, please make sure it is filled out completely and notarized. If you need the city to notarize it, please bring it into the office on January 4 or 5, and it will not be considered late.
During the time the offices are closed, if you need an officer for a non-emergency, please call 706-878-2722 and take Option 1.
Because of the stipulations created by the COVID-19 virus, the City of Helen would like to update you on the yearly Christmas seasonal events.
Due to the lack of space to properly social distance everyone, the Christmas Community Dinner has been cancelled.
The Annual Lighting of the Village will take place Friday, November 27 at 5:00 p.m., but it will be at the Riverside Park at 854 Edelweiss Strasse and not in the downtown Market Platz area to allow for better social distancing. Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus will be present to take your child's request for Christmas.
The 13th Annual Christkindlmarkt will take place November 28-29 and December 5-6 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Market Platz area as usual. Contact the Helen Chamber of Commerce at 706-878-1908 if you wish to obtain space for this market.
The Helen Arts & Heritage Center will have their Mistletoe Market December 5-6 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at their location at 25 Chattahoochee Strasse. Contact the Helen Arts & Heritage Center at 706-878-3933 if you wish to obtain space for this market.
The Annual Christmas Parade will take place December 12 at 2:00 p.m. in the downtown Helen area along the normal parade route.
Many businesses in town will be celebrating as the City rings in the 2021 New Year, but due to the Executive Order requirements set by Georgia's Governor Kemp, the Festhalle has cancelled the Dropping of the Edelweiss. The Visitors Center will make information available of the businesses that plan special celebrations for the evenng as the date gets closer.
We would like to remind everyone that even though we will not be having the Christmas Community Dinner this year, the City will still be taking donations for the White Christmas Fund. If you are in a position to help us help the less fortunate in our community, please consider giving as we expect the need to be greater this year than usual.
Governor Kemp issued Executive Order 08.31.20.02 on August 31, 2020 regarding COVID-19 and the opening of our state during COVID-19. (Any information received prior to this time may have changed.) All business owners within the city limits of Helen, GA who have open businesses must be in compliance with this Executive Order. Click here to download:Executive Order 08.31.02.01 _ .02. Please note that any Executive Order signed by Governor Kemp at a later date will supersede these conditions.
*The statewide “Shelter in Place” expired October 10, 2020 with the exception for those residents and visitors of the State of Georgia who are high risk as defined on Page 10 of this order.
*The Public Health State of Emergency will expire October 10, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.
Effective April 24, 2020, the following businesses were allowed to open: Massage parlors, beauty/barber shops, nail salons, tattoo parlors, and tanning salons. If your business is open, you must be adhering to the strict guidelines in the Executive Order, especially Pages 19-20.
Effective April 27, 2020, all restaurants were allowed to open dining room areas. If your restaurant is open, you must be adhering to the strict guidelines in the Executive Order, especially Pages 8-11, including face coverings for workers when interacting with patrons (Pages 12-15).
Effective May 1, 2020, all hotels/motels and short-term rentals were allowed to recieve guests. If your business is open, you must be adhering to the guidelines in the Executive Order referring to “all businesses”, especially Pages 16-18 where applicable.
Effective May 1, 2020, all other shops and businesses were allowed to open. This includes but is not limited to the following: Retail shops, putt-putt courses, laser tag, horse & carriage rides, escape rooms, wedding chapels, ice cream shops, and any other businesses not mentioned in any other section. If your business is open, you must be adhering to the guidelines in the Executive Order referring to “all businesses”, especially Pages 16-18.
Effective May 14, 2020, tubing companies were allowed to open. If your business is open, you must adhere to the strict guidelines in the Executive Order referring to "all businesses", especially Pages 24-27.
Effective June 12, 2020, coaster rides, go-carts, arcades and water parks may open. If your business is open, you must adhere to the strict guidelines in the Executive Order, especially Pages 24-27.
Currently, churches may continue to remain open, but parishioners should maintain social distancing (Page 9) and wear face mask to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
City parks and pavilions are currently open with the guidelines prohibiting “gatherings” as defined on Page 8.
Masks are strongly recommended for all customers (and specifically required for some). Business owners can require customers to wear mask while in their business.
Again, this information is subject to change based on regulations set forth by President Trump or Governor Kemp. If you have any questions, please call Helen City Hall at 706-878-2733.
*Although certain areas of Executive Order 08.31.20.02 have been highlighted to draw attention to those areas, all guidelines must be followed.
