Businesses reopening in Georgia

For the past several weeks certain businesses were ordered to close amid the Coronavirus pandemic.  On Monday, Gov. Brian Kemp announced that he is allowing some of these businesses to reopen. “Given the favorable data, enhanced testing, and approval of our healthcare professionals, we will allow gyms, fitness centers, bowling alleys, body art studios, barbers, cosmetologists, hair designers, nail care artists, estheticians, their respective schools, and massage therapists to reopen their doors this Friday, April 24, 2020.”  This will allow these businesses to undertake baseline operations, continues Gov. Kemp. “Unlike other businesses, 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 applies statewide and will be the operational standard in all jurisdictions. This means local action cannot be taken that is more or less restrictive, adds Gov. Kemp.  “The entities that I am reopening are not reopening for ‘business as usual.’ Each of these entities will be subject to specific restrictions, including adherence to Minimum Basic Operations, social distancing, and regular sanitation. Minimum Basic Operations includes, but is not limited to, screening workers for fever and respiratory illness, enhancing workplace sanitation, wearing masks and gloves if appropriate, separating workspaces by at least six feet, teleworking where at all possible, and implementing staggered shifts. Subject to specific social distancing and sanitation mandates, theaters, private social clubs, and restaurant dine-in services will be allowed to reopen on Monday, April 27. We will release more information in the next few days. Bars, nightclubs, operators of amusement park rides, and live performance venues will remain closed.”  In the days ahead, the governor will be evaluating the data and conferring with public health officials to determine the best course of action for the future.