Safe, reliable service continues for customers during pandemic
<p style="text-align: center;"><i>Critical personnel remain at the ready and facilities necessary to providing safe and reliable energy continue to operate</i></p>
<p>As the impact of the coronavirus pandemic continues, Southern Company and its operating companies are assuring customers there are comprehensive plans and procedures in place to help ensure service continues.</p>
<p>Critical personnel remain at the ready and facilities necessary to providing safe and reliable energy continue to operate across our system’s service territory.</p>
<p>“Much like how we respond to hurricanes and other storms, it is times like these when we are the ones who are called to act for the benefit of customers, our communities and the nation as a whole,” said Southern Company Chairman, President and CEO Tom Fanning. “We will continue to keep the lights on and the energy flowing throughout this situation.”</p>
<p>Southern Company has been closely monitoring the potential threat posed by the coronavirus since January. Proactive measures have been taken which are designed to both prevent the spread of the virus and protect the safety and health of employees, including:</p>
<ul>
<li>Implementing telecommuting for those who can perform their work remotely</li>
<li>Limiting guests to business-critical visitors</li>
<li>Canceling facility tours and external meetings, using technology instead</li>
<li>Canceling all non-critical business travel</li>
<li>Asking employees to self-identify if they have or plan to travel internationally</li>
<li>Aggressively sanitizing work areas and increasing cleaning frequency</li>
</ul>
<p>Additionally, Georgia Power and Mississippi Power as well as Southern Company Gas and its local distribution companies plan to temporarily suspend customer disconnections for nonpayment and will reevaluate the policy and timeframe as the situation develops. Since the state of emergency was declared, Alabama Power has not disconnected any customers for non-payment and there are no plans to do so for those impacted by COVID-19.</p>
<p>Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms saluted the move on Twitter:</p>
<p>Southern Company regularly provides information and updates on the virus to employees, including prevention recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and will continue to follow the latest developments from public health officials and medical professionals.</p>
