Gov. Kemp again extends Georgia’s coronavirus restrictions. Read the order here

Gov. Brian Kemp on Monday signed two executive orders extending Georgia’s public health state of emergency and the state’s existing coronavirus restrictions.

Social distancing measures remain in place, and gatherings of more than 50 people are banned unless there is six feet of distance between each person. Sanitation, safety and other related protocols for business and other entities remain in effect.

Georgians living in long-term care facilities and those with certain, chronic medical conditions are required to shelter in place. Local governments are still allowed to implement mask mandates if 100 or more coronavirus cases per 100,000 people are reported in the county over two weeks. Counties that meet this threshold are not required to implement a mask law.

Portions of the latest order expire at 11:59 p.m. Sept. 15. The state’s public health emergency was extended until Oct. 10.

Georgia has 270,471 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 5,632 deaths as of Aug. 31.

Nick Wooten

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Nick Wooten is the Accountability/Investigative reporter for the Ledger-Enquirer where he is responsible for covering several topics, including Georgia politics. His work may also appear in the Macon Telegraph. Nick was given the Georgia Press Association’s 2021 Emerging Journalist award for his coverage of elections, COVID-19 and Columbus’ LGBTQ+ community. Before joining McClatchy, he worked for The (Shreveport La.) Times covering city government and investigations. He is a graduate of Mercer University in Macon, Georgia.