Kemp eases more coronavirus restrictions in transition to ‘new normal.’ Here’s the latest
Gov. Brian Kemp eased more of the state’s coronavirus restrictions and will allow previously shuttered businesses such as bars and nightclubs to reopen June 1.
Kemp announced his new executive order during his weekly press conference Thursday, citing positive data and guidance from the state’s public health commissioner Dr. Kathleen Toomey.
“Now with enhanced testing capacity and encouraging data, we are seeing a slow careful transition to a new normal,” Kemp said. “I wouldn’t have made these moves if Dr. Toomey wasn’t comfortable with that.”
Some of Kemp’s new policies include:
- Bars and nightclubs will be allowed to open if they follow 39 mandatory measures. Some of those measures include screening workers, sanitizing the building, and limiting the number of patrons to 25 people or 35% occupancy. Live performance venues will remain closed.
- Professional and amateur sports could resume in-person operations June 1. Amateur sports will follow the same guidelines as noncritical infrastructure businesses in Georgia. Professional sports will follow guidelines put forth by their leagues, Kemp said.
- Overnight summer camps will be allowed to operate as of May 31, provided they follow a set of 33 state-mandated requirements.
- Summer schools will be allowed to operate if schools and school districts implement additional measures to stop the spread of COVID-19. The state lists 11 guidelines, and some of these measures include screening students and workers as well as enhanced campus sanitation.
Amusement parks, traveling carnivals and water parks will be allowed to reopen June 12 if they follow 33 mandatory safety requirements.
- Gatherings of more than 25 people will be allowed June 1 provided that social distancing measures are in place.
- The order also extends safety and sanitation requirements for other Georgia businesses and organizations.
Kemp’s changes come as new coronavirus cases for the week ending May 24 rose 26% compared to numbers the week before, according to the Atlanta Journal-Consitution. Kemp attributed the increase to a private lab reporting 15,000 tests to the state over a two-day period. Some of the tests dated back to late April.
Toomey said some testing of “high risk” areas near Macon also attributed to an increase in cases.
“I felt very comfortable at that point,” Toomey said. “Because the data trends have been staying very very favorable. We’ll continue to follow this.”
The shelter in place order for the elderly and those with chronic health conditions will continue through June 12, but Kemp renewed the state’s medical emergency order through July 12. The extended emergency order gives Kemp broad powers to fight COVID-19. Most of Kemp’s newest policies remain in effect until June 15.
Kemp also encouraged Georgians to wear face coverings and follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as the state works to stop the spread of COVID-19.
“It’s like Dr. Fauci said the other day on our call with the governors and the vice president,” he said. “If people will continue to guidelines, we don’t necessarily have to have a second wave.”
A copy of Kemp’s newest executive order can be found below:
This story was originally published May 28, 2020 at 5:28 PM.