Some Georgia residents must shelter in place amid coronavirus spread, Kemp orders
After the number of coronavirus cases grew by more than 150 overnight, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp Monday announced an executive order closing the state’s bars and nightclubs and requiring Georgia’s most medically fragile residents to stay home.
The order, which will take effect noon Tuesday, bans all gatherings of more than 10 people, unless a six-foot distance can be maintained between individuals. Kemp gave the state Department of Public Health the power to close any business, nonprofit or other establishments that did not follow the guidance. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports this includes churches. Businesses that can follow the guidelines will be allowed to continue operating.
Kemp also ordered the Department of Public Health to oversee a shelter-in-place order for those most at risk for adverse complications from COVID-19. Those groups include people in long-term care facilities, those receiving cancer treatments, those who have chronic lung disease and those who have or may have a positive COVID-19 test, Kemp said.
The order is set to expire at noon April 6. Further details regarding the order were not given during Monday’s press conference.
“These measures are intended to ensure the health and safety of Georgians across our state,” he said. “I would ask for everyone’s cooperation over the next two weeks.”
The decision comes after Kemp had previously refused to use some of the more expansive emergency powers granted to him by the Georgia General Assembly earlier this month after ratifying the governor’s public health emergency declaration.
Kemp had used his power to close public schools in the state but said in prior press conferences that he’s worried about overreach.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported late Sunday that Kemp was facing pressure to enact new restrictions to halt the spread of COVID-19. Localities across the state such as Columbus and Macon had already taken several measures, such as forbidding dine-in options at restaurants and closing bars, to contain the disease.
As of noon Tuesday, Georgia had 1,026 cases and 32 deaths statewide related to COVID-19.
This story was originally published March 23, 2020 at 5:47 PM with the headline "Some Georgia residents must shelter in place amid coronavirus spread, Kemp orders."