by: Summer Kelley
A press conference held by Governor Brian Kemp today provided information for Georgians as the state moves forward with opening business and industry.
"Today I have issued a new executive order to extend several provisions, clarify existing guidelines for certain businesses, and provide guidance to other operators in our state," Kemp said. "This order is issued as COVID-19 positive hospitalizations, ventilator use, and the percentage of positive cases continue to drop. It is based on data, science, and the advice of our public health officials. Many have warned of a 'second wave' and asked if we are willing to change course if conditions decline. Let me be clear: we will continue to track the numbers and continue to heed Dr. [Kathleen] Toomey’s advice. We will take whatever action is necessary to protect the lives and livelihoods of Georgians."
Part of the provisions and guidelines includes the continued closure of bars, nightclubs, and performance venues until May 31. The reason for the continued closure is because Kemp said that they "believe that waiting a little bit longer will enhance health outcomes and give folks the opportunity to prepare for safe reopening in the near future."
For childcare, the executive order will increase the size of a single classroom from "ten to twenty people so long as staff-to-children ratios set by the Department of Early Care and Learning are also maintained." Kemp said, "we are told by the Departments of Early Care and Learning and Public Health that this expansion can be done safely and allows for more facilities to reopen."
Childcare facilities must continue to adhere to thirteen minimum, mandatory criteria to be able to operate, including strict screening procedures and sanitation mandates for frequently touched items and surfaces. Kemp said they are also working with Department of Public Health regarding procedures and guidelines for the opening of summer camps. Summer camps can open on May 14, as long as they meet "32 minimum, mandatory criteria." Any guidance issued by the CDC will have to be followed as well.
Restaurants are given expanded operating guidelines as well with Kemp's new executive order. As long as it can be safely done, restaurants will be allowed to have ten customers per 300 sq ft and groups at a single table can be increased from six to ten.
Additionally, Kemp announced that state agencies will begin phasing back into in person operations.
"I’m proud of the thousands of state employees who have done an incredible job teleworking and adapting to the new normal,"Kemp said. "To ensure that quality of service continues, starting May 18, specific divisions of state agencies will begin to phase back into limited, in-person operations. In my executive order, I have tasked the Department of Administrative Services with promulgating guidance for state agencies to safely reopen offices. As we work through the process, we will issue that guidance to employees, contractors, and constituents. We will make more detailed announcements in the coming days on how we will be phasing into limited, in-person operations at state agencies."
Despite the fact that the state is continuing the process of re-opening, Georgia residents are being reminded to continue to follow social distancing guidelines and other safety measures.
"All Georgians must continue to follow social distancing, and gatherings of more than ten people remain banned unless there is at least six feet between each person," Kemp said. "The gatherings ban applies to all non-critical infrastructure businesses, local governments, and organizations of all types, including social groups, informal get-togethers, and recreational sports, just to name a few.
"We continue to strongly encourage people to wear face coverings when out in public, and we thank everyone for their willingness to do the right thing. The shelter in place provision for medically fragile and Georgians aged 65 and older remains in effect through June 12, 2020. Mandatory restrictions for sanitation and social distancing will remain in place for all non-critical infrastructure businesses, and for recently reopened businesses, we are extending industry-specific restrictions. Those will remain in place through the end of the month. As businesses slowly reopen and some enhance capacity, we know that many are safely returning to their place of employment.
Georgia is also rolling out a new service to help streamline contact tracing throughout the state with an online monitoring tool called Healthy Georgia Collaborative. Through the online site, Georgians can identify contacts and monitor symptoms.
"This monitoring tool does not collect any data other than what is entered by the contact," Kemp said. "This is how the process works: residents who test positive for COVID-19 will be contacted by trained public health staff, who will work with that individual to recall anyone that they might’ve had close contact with while infectious. Those contacts will then be interviewed by DPH to help us map and isolate the spread of COVID-19 in communities across the state. If you are contacted by DPH staff, we strongly encourage you to participate in the contact tracing program. We need your help to defeat this virus. Together, we can continue to take measured steps forward."
The full press conference given by Kemp can be read, or viewed, at the following link -
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