Georgia Shelter-in-Place Order Starts at 6pm on April 3

GEORGIA – All Georgians are to shelter-in-place beginning at 6 p.m., Friday, April 3 (today).  The order, which requires everyone to comply with a mandatory lockdown, lasts through Monday, April 13th.  Governor Brian Kemp signed it  Thursday making it official and it can be read by clicking on:  https://www.laniercountynewsonline.com/2020/04/03/governor-kemps-s…-executive-order/ ‎

The lockdown of the entire state of Georgia with some exceptions starts at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, April 3 through Monday, April 13.  Both Georgia residents and visitors must stay at home, taking “every possible precaution” to limit social interaction.

This is somewhat different than the curfew that the City of Lakeland approved over a week ago, so Lakeland residents should review the order and fully understand what is now expected.

 

Essential trips to the grocery store, pharmacy or work across the state are the only exceptions.  Georgians can only go out for the essentials.  Within the work category, specific jobs are detailed within the order.  If someone’s job is not included, that worker is expected to stay at home.

“If we have to we will put the National Guard and Georgia State Patrol getting groceries and supplies to the businesses to keep our families fed, to keep the medicines flowing, to get healthcare equipment that’s coming into our state,” Kemp said during Wednesday’s press conference.

Restaurants can still remain open for delivery, drive-thru or takeout.

Outdoor exercise is allowed as long as six feet of social distance is maintained between those, who don’t live in the same household.

All public gatherings are now prohibited.

End of life circumstances are the only visits to nursing homes which will be allowed.

Bowling alleys, gyms, hair salons, massage parlors, tattoo studios, and theaters will be closed for the next 10 days.

As long as employees in “critical businesses” work and follow the six feet rule, Kemp’s order allows those businesses to operate.

Kemp stated that if Georgia residents and visitors abide by his order, statistically this measure will help flatten the curve — meaning Georgia won’t reach capacity when it comes to hospital beds.

So far locally within our region, confirmed coronavirus include  at least 140 cases.  By county, they are: Atkinson (0), Berrien (3), Brooks (5), Clinch (1), Coffee (15), Colquitt (34), Cook (1), Echols (0), Irwin (6), Lanier (1), Lowndes (28), Tift (30), and Ware (16).

Also in our area, at least 140 people have died from COVID-19 complications.

In response to a question about starting the lockdown sooner, Governor Kemp stated, “What we had earlier was what the healthcare professionals asked us to do.  When you look at the orders I put in place versus what other states did…you can call it what you want but if the press would dig in and compare, they would see what Georgia has in place is strict compared to other states around the country.”

Agencies who are now authorized to assist in enforcing the governor’s order include:  Department of Public Health, Georgia National Guard, and other state officials.  Those who choose to violate the governor’s order could face misdemeanor charges, fines or arrests.  Any businesses or organizations not in compliance with the order may be forced to close.

“As we take the fight to end the spread of the COVID-19, I’m asking Georgians to hunker down, follow the directives we’ve issued and help us flatten the infection curve,” said Governor Kemp, “We are in this fight together!”