Georgia Governor Brian Kemp unveiled plans Monday to allow some businesses shuttered amid the coronavirus pandemic to reopen their doors by the end of the week, as the state sets its sights on easing lockdown restrictions and re-opening the local economy.
Under the governor’s orders, gyms, bowling alleys, salons, barbershops and a number of other indoor facilities that have been closed across the state since April 2 will be permitted to reopen this Friday.
Kemp warned, however, it ‘would not be business as usual’ as companies will only be able operate if they adhere to social distancing requirements, sanitation mandates, and meet other safety standards.
Restaurants, which have been banned from in-person dining since the shelter in place order was issued, will be allowed to reopen on April 27 along with movie theaters if they comply with guidelines Kemp’s office is set to release later this week. Bars and nightclubs will remain closed, though.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp unveiled plans Monday to allow some businesses shuttered amid the coronavirus pandemic to reopen their doors by the end of the week, as the state sets its sights on easing lockdown restrictions and re-opening the local economy
Under the governor’s orders, gyms, bowling alleys, salons, barbershops and a number of other indoor facilities that have been closed across the state since April 2 will be permitted to reopen this Friday
‘I don’t give a damn about politics now,’ Kemp said, announcing the plans outside the State Capitol Monday. Kemp went on to say that his primary concern at the moment is Georgians ‘going broke worried about whether they can feed their children and make the mortgage payment.’
The motion, Kemp said, came after the state edged closer to meeting the first phase of the White House’s three-phase plan for reopening the US, citing adequate testing, hospital capacity, and contact tracing of the virus.
Under the measures, businesses must meet 20 separate guidelines to reopen, including regularly screening employees for signs of illness, requiring more hand washing and prohibiting large gatherings of workers.
Georgia currently nearly 19,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 773 recorded deaths.
The shelter in place order, set to last through April 30, remains in effect, though Kemp urged the ‘medically fragile’ to remain at home through May 13.
Restaurants, which have been banned from in-person dining since the shelter in place order was issued, will be allowed to reopen on April 27 along with movie theaters if they comply with guidelines Kemp’s office is set to release later this week
Bars and nightclubs will remain closed across the state until further notice
Georgia currently nearly 19,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 773 recorded deaths
Kemp said that in order for the state to keep open and avoid any future shutdowns testing efforts must increase exponentially. In order to do so, the state is partnering with the Georgia Health System to ‘double down’ on testing capacity.
‘Testing defines the battlefield and aids our long term strategy,’ Kemp said, adding that the Georgia National Guard will dispatch 10 new strike teams to help administer testing.’
With the latest coronavirus cases, Kemp said the state was a place on the curve that hospitals could resume elective surgeries which were deemed essential.
‘By taking this measured action, we will get Georgians back to work safety, without undermining the progress we all have made in this battle against COVID-19,’ Kemp said. ‘Today’s announcement is a small step forward and should be treated as such.
‘I am confident that together we will emerge victorious from this war we have been fighting.’
‘By taking this measured action, we will get Georgians back to work safety, without undermining the progress we all have made in this battle against COVID-19,’ Kemp said. ‘Today’s announcement is a small step forward and should be treated as such’
Kemp said that in order for the state to keep open and avoid any future shutdowns testing efforts must increase exponentially. In order to do so, the state is partnering with the Georgia Health System to ‘double down’ on testing capacity
The governor also urged religious institutions to continue to do their part in helping with social distancing protocol. Kemp urged religious leaders to listen to the advice of the CDC by continuing drive-in and online services for the time being.
Kemp conceded the reopenings are likely to cause a rise in COVID-19 cases, however he said the state will be able for any sudden surge thanks to increased hospital capacity. State officials will also be keeping tabs on any possible emerging hotspots for the virus.
The state’s announcement comes two days after the Trump administrations hosted a call with Kemp and the governors of Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, Mississippi and Florida over the weekend, which involved discussed approaches for reopening their state’s economies.
Leaders in Alabama and Florida outlined their reopening plans on Sunday. South Carolina too is expected to be reopening retail stores and public beaches on Tuesday.