Governor Brian Kemp outlined a plan Wednesday to roll back many of the state’s COVID-19 restrictions.
Effective April 8 through 30, Kemp is eliminating the ban on public gatherings and lifting the shelter-in-place order for the elderly and medically fragile. He’s also removing any remaining distance requirements in restaurants, bars, movie theaters, and group fitness classes.
Executive Order 03.31.21.03 will also stop law enforcement from being able to close a business or other location for failing to comply with the governor’s orders. However, it still strongly suggests social distancing measures and wearing a mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Even as he scaled back restrictions, Kemp extended Georgia’s Public Health State of Emergency. Doing so makes it easier for the state to acquire PPE, vaccines, and testing. It’s the twelfth time Kemp has extended the emergency order since first issuing it in March 2020.
Kemp also extended the current COVID-19 guidance in Georgia until April 7 and added a provision allowing state agency employees to get a COVID vaccine without using sick leave or annual leave.
