Gov. Kemp strategizes to reopen state’s economy

In a live broadcasting on Monday, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced the first steps of an effort to gradually and safely breathe new life back into Georgia’s economy while continuing the fight against a global pandemic.

During Monday’s press conference, Kemp revealed that a total of 18,947 cases of COVID-19 had been confirmed in the state of Georgia. Of those cases, there had been 733 deaths. The state lab had processed 5,362 tests, while tests processed by commercial vendors had reached 78,966. “We understand that these are more than just numbers,” Kemp said. “These are Georgians that we’re talking about. They’re our families and they’re our communities that are impacted and certainly all of the victims and their loved ones continue to be in our thoughts and prayers.” He further stated, “We lift all those up who are battling with this terrible virus. We remain focused on the safety and wellbeing of every person who calls Georgia home.”

The governor shared that the White House, on last week, issued guidelines for states to begin safely reopening the nation’s economy. He noted his awareness of the toll that the widespread business closures in Georgia had taken on households, families, and both large and small industries. “These are tough moments in our state, and in our nation,” Kemp declared. “I hear the concerns of those I’m honored to serve. I see the terrible impact that COVID-19 [has had] on public health as well as the pocketbook.”

According to the governor, the Coronavirus Task Force and public health officials have informed that the process of safely reopening America consisted of three phases. “To initiate phase one, a state must meet a series of basic criteria which can be tailored to reflect specific circumstances for a region or a statewide approach,” Kemp informed. He further stated that the state of Georgia, for weeks now, has taken targeted action to prevent, detect and address the spread of the coronavirus by leveraging data and advice from health officials in the public and private sectors. “Thanks to this methodical approach and the millions of Georgians who have literally worked diligently to slow the spread of the coronavirus,” Kemp announced, “we are on track to meet the gating criteria for phase one.”

Kemp shared a list of ways in which improvement was being shown. He mentioned that reports of emergency room visits by people with flu-like symptoms of the virus are declining, documented cases of COVID-19 cases have flattened and appear to be declining, and emergency room visits, in general, have decreased in number. Testing is a large part of the criteria, and Kemp shared details on how testing in Georgia was carried out and what those being tested can expect in the process.

Kemp indicated that the strides made in recent weeks regarding testing have been instrumental in the progress made toward getting Georgians back to work. “In the same way that we carefully closed businesses and urged operations to end to mitigate the virus spread,” Kemp went on to announce, “today we are announcing plans to incrementally and safely reopen sectors of our economy.”

Given the favorable data, enhanced testing and the approval of health care professionals, the governor gave a list of specific businesses that would be permitted to reopen for business as of Friday, April 24. Those included gyms, fitness centers, bowling allies, body art studios, barbers, cosmetologists, hair designers, nailcare artists, estheticians, their respective schools and massage therapists.

“Unlike other businesses,” Kemp expounded, “these entities have been unable to manage inventory, deal with payroll and take care of administrative items while we shelter-in-place. This measure allows them to undertake baseline operations that most other businesses in the state have maintained since I issued the shelter-in-place order. This measure will apply statewide and will be the operational standard in all jurisdictions. This means local action cannot be taken that is more, or less restrictive.”

Over the next few days, Kemp told citizens that close monitoring for existing and potential hot spots will take place throughout the state of Georgia. “Rest assured, if any community needs the state to intervene, we will do so with their input, as well as their partnership.” The governor stressed that his next point would be a very important one. “The entities that I am reopening are not reopening as business as usual,” he said. “Each of these entities will be subject to specific restrictions, including adherence to the minimum basic operations, social distancing, and regular sanitation. Minimum basic operations include, but is not limited to, screening workers for fever and respiratory illness, enhancing workplace sanitation, wearing gloves and masks if appropriate, separating workspaces by at least six feet, teleworking where at all possible and implementing staggered shifts.”

Governor Kemp further announced, “Subject to the specific social distancing and sanitation mandates, theatres, private social clubs, and restaurant dine-in services will be allowed to open on Monday, April 27. We will release more information over the next few days. Bars, night clubs, operators of amusement park rides and live performance venues will remain closed. In the days ahead, we will be evaluating the data and conferring with public health officials to determine the best course of action for those establishments.”

Kemp referred to Monday’s announcement as a small step forward and said it should be treated as such. He reminded Georgians that the shelter-in-place order is still active and will remain in place until 11:59 p.m. on April 30 for most of the state. The governor urged everyone to continue to follow the guidelines of the CDC and DPH. He reiterated the importance of sheltering in place, limiting travel, limiting errands and wearing masks to slow the spread of the coronavirus. “For the medically fragile and elderly Georgians,” he added, “make plans to shelter-in-place through May 13, the date Georgia Public Health Emergency expires. Given the heightened risk of adverse consequences from your exposure to coronavirus, this is recommended and the safest path for you.”

In more re-opening news, Kemp said, “For places of worship, holding in-person services is allowed. But under the phase one guidelines, it must be done in accordance with strict, social distancing protocols. I urge faith leaders to continue to help us in this effort to keep their congregation safe by heeding the advice of public officials. Of course, online, call-in, and drive-in services remain a good option for religious institutions.”

Kemp cautioned that while he was encouraged by the data, proud of what has been accomplished, and confident in the plan moving forward, he realized that the journey ahead would be long. “But here is what I know,” he added, “If we remain united, just as we have in this fight against COVID-19, we can overcome the challenges and the obstacles that are ahead of us. But if we allow politics, partisanship, elections and egos to divide us during this important inflection point, our entire state will suffer. So as we begin this process—this measured, deliberate step forward—let’s reaffirm our commitment to one another to the greater good and to Georgia’s future, because I am confident that together, we will emerge victorious from this war that we have been fighting. And with your help and God’s grace, we will continue to build a safer, stronger, and more prosperous state for our families and our generations to come.”

HHJ News