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'It's been hard:'Chapel Hill mayor Pam Hemminger speaks to GMA about coronavirus impact on downtown,UNC community-ABC 11 Raleigh-Durham <br /> one week of classes <br /> Last week, Chapel Hill police said four citations were <br /> issued to people violating COVID-19 safety regulations. <br /> Mayor Hemminger said the university can take action <br /> against violations in many ways. <br /> "They range the gamut from warnings all the way to <br /> de-enrollment from classes if students are having <br /> egregious behavior against the community standards," <br /> said Hemminger. <br /> The pivot to virtual learning in Chapel Hill has reduced <br /> foot traffic to local businesses, but the town has made <br /> adjustments on Franklin Street to facilitate the <br /> changing economy downtown. <br /> "So we are intertwined with a university that is that is <br /> the lifeblood of our economy here. And when we go <br /> virtual, it means there's fewer people coming and <br /> going from campus, fewer conferences, fewer sporting <br /> events. That hurts businesses, mostly in the downtown <br /> area as people come into our community to partake in <br /> those events. Our businesses are struggling," said <br /> Hemminger. "We did expand our sidewalks, increase <br /> outside dining so that we could help our restaurants <br /> and businesses be more successful. That's been an <br /> improvement, but it is hard. It's hard to balance the <br /> economy." <br /> With all of the rapid developments, Mayor Hemminger <br /> said even though many will have to make big personal <br /> sacrifices, the main priority is keeping people safe. <br /> "At the end of the day, the number one thing <br /> governments do is try to keep people safe," said <br /> Hemminger. "People are having to make sacrifices <br /> https://abcl l.com/education/chapel-hill-mayor-talks-covid-19s-impact-on-university-community/6397394/[9/l/20, 10:41:33 AM] <br />