Governor Brian Kemp held a press conference on Monday afternoon down at the State Capitol in Atlanta at which he gave an update on Georgia’s response to COVID-19 and shared his initial plans for re-opening businesses across the state. Gyms, fitness centers, bowling alleys, body art studios, cosmetologists, barbers, hair designers, nail care artists, estheticians, their respective schools, and massage therapists will be allowed to re-open on Friday. Theatres, private social clubs, and restaurant dine-in services may re-open on Monday. Each of these entities will be subject to social distancing guidelines. In-person church services are now permitted, but must follow strict social distancing protocols. The statewide shelter in place order will expire at 11:59 pm on April 30th, but medically fragile and the elderly should plan to shelter in place until May 13th – the date on which Georgia’s public health emergency expires.
Healthcare facilities have also been allowed to resume elective surgeries that have been deemed essential.
Monday’s press conference was streamed live and may still be viewed on the Governor’s Facebook page.