Kemp extends Georgia’s coronavirus shelter-in-place order. Here’s what to know

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has extended the statewide shelter-in-place order that was set to expire Monday, April 13, to continue to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Kemp extended the order through April 30.

The announcement follows an extension of Georgia’s public health state of emergency through May 13, an executive order Kemp signed earlier on Wednesday. Under state law, the governor may renew the public health state of emergency, which was otherwise set to expire on April 13.

“All of the provisions of the statewide shelter in place order will remain in effect,” Kemp said.

Under the shelter-in place-order, residents must remain at home, with certain exceptions.

People are allowed to leave their homes for necessary trips like stops at the pharmacy, grocery store, to pick up food, to go to work and to get to medical appointments. Citizens do not need a note from their employer or the government to prove their reason for travel.

People must remain six feet apart when gathering in groups of 10 or more at all times.

The order does not create a curfew or instate martial law.

Other things to know

• The governor also signed an executive order Wednesday banning the use of short-term vacation rentals, such as Airbnb or VRBO, beginning at midnight Thursday through May 13. He told reporters the measure should help curb the amount of people visiting Georgia beaches. Those who have already fully paid for rentals can continue to keep their reservations, but those who have not must cancel.
• Kemp also signed another order to mitigate the spread of coronavirus in assisted living facilities, nursing homes and other senior care facilities. The order requires facilities to adopt infectious disease transfer protocol of nearby hospitals, bans most visitors, requires in-room dining, cancels all group activities, and requires health screenings for employees, among other stipulations.

State health officials reported 9,901 cases of COVID-19 and 362 deaths as of noon Wednesday.

This story was originally published April 8, 2020 at 4:20 PM with the headline "Kemp extends Georgia’s coronavirus shelter-in-place order. Here’s what to know."