Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp Thursday evening released his shelter-in-place order, providing further details about how it will affect Georgians as state officials try to curb the spread of the new coronavirus.
The order goes into effect 6 p.m. Friday and ends at 11:59 p.m. April 13. State residents must remain at home, with certain exceptions. People are allowed to leave their homes for necessary trips like stops at the pharmacy, grocery store, to pick up food, to go to work and to get to medical appointments.
People must remain six feet apart when gathering in groups of 10 or more at all times.
WHAT IS CLOSED?
- Bars
- Nightclubs
- Gyms
- Fitness centers
- Bowling allies
- Theaters
- Live performance venues
- Dine-in services at restaurants and private social clubs. Curbside, take-out and delivery options are still allowed. Hospitals, nursing homes and other long-term care centers can still have dine-in services.
- Those who offer waxing, eyelash extensions and other beautician-related services.
- Hair designers
- Tattoo parlors
- Beauty shops, salons and barbershops. Those include home shops as well.
- Schools for barbering, salons, cosmetology, nail care and hair design
- Massage therapy
WHAT IS OPEN?
Other businesses will be allowed to operate under specific conditions, including:
- Grocery stores
- Pharmacies
- Restaurants for curbside pickup, to-go or delivery
- Hospitals and other healthcare facilities
- Convenience stores
Kemp’s order states that businesses deemed critical infrastructure by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will continue to operate. Those include workers in fields ranging from healthcare and law enforcement to financial services and energy sector employees. Entities that provide home hospice care and legal services are included in this category. Nonprofits that offer health or mental health service or food distribution are also included.
The state has outlined 16 recommendations tied to sanitation, health screening and hygiene that it would like to see these businesses implement.
Other businesses not deemed critical infrastructure are limited to minimum basic operations. They will continue to operate in a limited capacity and must allow employees to work from home if possible. These businesses must implement a set of 20 requirements handed down by the state tied to sanitation, health screening and hygiene.
You can still exercise, visit state parks and play outdoor sports like golf. If you violate the order, you are committing a misdemeanor. You’ll receive a warning, and you risk criminal charges if you fail to comply.
Kemp explicitly stated that his order does not prohibit the sale of guns or ammunition.
More information from the state regarding the order can be found in the document below.