Stay Safe Augusta 

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has outlined his executive order that closes schools for the remainder of the academic year and also issued a shelter-in-place for all state residents until April 30, 2020. Though the shelter-in-place order has expired, businesses across the Peach State have been instructed to continue to operate with strict social distancing and sanitation rules to keep customers and employees safe through May 13. The elderly and medically fragile are encouraged to continue sheltering-in-place with Georgia's public health state of emergency extended until June 12.

RE-OPENING THE PEACH STATE: PHASE ONE

Announced by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp on Monday, April 20 at the governor's press conference. 

The governor’s order will allow gyms, bowling alleys, salons and some other indoor facilities closed under his shelter-in-place order to resume operations on Friday, April 24 as long as they comply with social distancing requirements and meet other safety standards. Restaurants, which were banned from in-person dining, will be allowed to reopen on Monday, April 27 if they meet guidelines the governor's office will release later this week. Theaters will also be covered by these new standards, but bars and nightclubs will remain closed.

Social Distancing: All residents and visitors must practice social distancing and sanitation in accordance with U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. No establishment shall allow more than 10 people inside if they’d be less than 6 feet from each other.

What does shelter-in-place mean? Residents and visitors must shelter-in-place in their residences, taking every precaution to limit social interaction with the exceptions of the following items: Conducting or participating in essential services, performing necessary travel, engaging in performance of minimum basic operations for a business, nonprofit or other establishment not deemed part of critical infrastructure, and people working on operations for critical infrastructure.

ESSENTIAL SERVICES WHILE SHELTERING-IN-PLACE 

• Obtaining necessary supplies and services for family or household members, such as food and supplies for household consumption and use, medical supplies or medication, supplies and equipment needed to work from home, and products needed to maintain safety, sanitation, and essential maintenance of the home or residence. Preference should be given to online ordering, home delivery, and curbside pick-up services wherever possible as opposed to in-store shopping.
• Engaging in activities essential for the health and safety of family or household members, such as seeking medical, behavioral health or emergency services.
• Engaging in outdoor exercise activities as long as a minimum distance of 6 feet is maintained during such activities between all people who are not occupants of the same household or residence.

STAY SAFE & HEALTHY 

To protect yourself and others, please take the following precautions as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC):

• Wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds;
• Avoid sharing food and drinks;
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth;
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or into your elbow; and
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

During this time, our hearts and thoughts are with those who have been affected by this. We send our deep appreciation to those in our community, the healthcare industry and first responders who are working on the front lines to mitigate the spread and impact of this virus. Our community and its people are resilient; we will persevere through this and are optimistic about the future.