Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed an order placing the elderly and those who are “medically fragile” under a shelter-in-place order days after reopening many of the state’s businesses.
Kemp reopened restaurants, retail stores, gyms, and hair salons on Monday to allow businesses to serve customers at a limited capacity. He also announced that the stay-at-home order for the state would expire Thursday night. While much of the state is beginning to return to normal, Kemp issued an order mandating that elderly residents continue to stay home until June 12.
“To protect vulnerable populations, I will sign an order today requiring medically fragile and elderly Georgians to continue to shelter in place through June 12, 2020,” Kemp said Thursday.
He continued, “In addition, I will order long-term care facilities, including nursing homes, personal care homes, assisted living facilities, and similar community living homes, to utilize enhanced infection control protocols, ensure safer living conditions, and protect residents and staff from coronavirus exposure.”
Kemp has received criticisms for reopening Georgia’s businesses, including condemnation from President Trump, who said it was “too soon” for the state to be opening. The governor stood by his decision to reopen the state to most people.
“I believe it’s vital that we empower business owners and workers to restart our economy while following detailed and strict hygienic guidelines to keep employees and customers safe,” Kemp said.
As of Thursday, the state had 26,325 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 1,132 related deaths.
