Gov. Brian Kemp says he is implementing a shelter-in-place order for Georgia in an effort to halt the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. That order will start Friday and will run through April 13, 2020. The comments came during a briefing Wednesday afternoon.
“Georgia State Patrol is prepared to take appropriate action to ensure full compliance – no exceptions" Kemp said. "The reality is that if you do not comply, you are violating the law, and you can face stiff penalties. Even worse, you are endangering the lives of those around you, your loved ones, and your fellow Georgians.”
Penalties will be considered misdemeanors and offenders will face tickets and fines.
The governor said ‘game-changing’ projections of COVID-19’s spread through Georgia factored into his decisions. The Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health, Dr. Kathleen Toomey addressed the spread of the virus, in the state.
“We have 47 long-term care facilities with outbreaks we’re investigating," according to Toomey. "We have outbreaks in prisons and jails, we’ve had at least five outbreaks regulated to church gatherings and more related to funerals.” Every possible situation where people are in a congregant setting or gathered together can be a potential site for transmission.”
His office is receiving and responding to complaints about businesses that are not complying and praised the influence of social media.
"Thousands of Georgians have used the power of social media to tell people about these orders and hold people accountable. Keep doing it, folks. It’s a huge help. To all of the people who have reported non-compliant businesses and organizations to our COVID-19 hotline, thank you.”
