Monday, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp held a press conference updating the public on the state’s response to COVID-19 and announcing plans to incrementally reopen sectors of the state’s economy.  The Governor stated that the shelter in place order will expire on April 30th. The public health emergency is set to expire May 13th.

Governor Kemp also announced that businesses like gyms, salons, barbers, nail salons, bowling alleys and more can reopen on Friday, April 24th. Theaters and restaurants will be allowed to open for dine-in business on Monday, April 27th.  The Governor said that the state will be monitoring areas and should stricter measures need to be re-instituted for public safety, the state will take those steps.  The governor also said that bars and theme parks would remain closed at this time.

Kemp said that he was relying on the “common sense” of Georgia business owners to take proper steps of social distancing while businesses reopen later this week and the first of next week.  The governor suggested that barber shops and hair salons operate by appointment only and that customers wait outside in their vehicles for their appointments instead of coming in and sitting in a lobby or waiting area.

The governor added that more guidelines will be released in the coming days.

The full order can be downloaded and viewed here:

https://gov.georgia.gov/document/2020-executive-order/04202001/download

(WZQZ Chattooga County Radio/WRGA/www.wrgarome.com)