Increasing cases of coronavirus have prompted a statewide shelter-in-place order for Georgia. (Image: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Amid the push to curb coronavirus, a statewide shelter-in-place order that will shutter in-person patronizing of bars, gyms, restaurants, theaters and many other activities is set to begin at 6 p.m. Friday and last through April 13.
Gov. Brian Kemp issued an executive order Thursday evening that exempts a range of activities deemed “essential services” like food and medical supply pick-ups and deliveries, critical infrastructure and those that help maintain minimum business operations.
Many types of businesses deemed essential will remain open but under tightened rules to keep work areas clean and for people to keep six feet of distance at minimum between each other, as well as a maximum of 10 people per any given space.
Restaurants will have to close in-person dining areas, but food pick-ups and deliveries will be allowed. People in Georgia will also be able to travel to grocery stores, medical appointments and pharmacies, according to the governor’s office.
“Preference should be given to online ordering, home delivery and curbside pick-up services wherever possible as opposed to in-store shopping,” the order says.
Exercising is allowed outside so long as people keep their distance from each other, the order says.
Critical infrastructure, per federal guidelines, includes health-care sectors, law enforcement and first-responder agencies, food and agriculture industries, energy companies, water and sewer utilities, trucking, public transit, information technology and more.
The order also requires rules at businesses that remain open, including health screenings, hand washing, staggered shifts and teleworking where possible.
Gov. Brian Kemp announced Wednesday he would sign the order following changes to federal modeling and guidelines earlier this week that account for the fact that the respiratory virus can spread from infected persons who do not show symptoms.
As of noon Thursday, more than 5,400 Georgians had tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel strain of coronavirus that has sparked a global pandemic. It had killed 176 patients from Georgia.
Kemp also signed an executive order Wednesday to close in-person classes for all Georgia public schools for the rest of the current school year. Thousands of schools across the state are poised to lean on online instruction to finish the spring term.
Per the order, enforcing the shelter-in-place will be left to Georgia State Patrol officers and any state agency members deputized by the governor or the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency.
Those officials, along with state Department of Public Health officers, will have authority to close any business or organization not complying with the order. Individual violators will be charged with a misdemeanor.
At a news conference Wednesday, Kemp called revised guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on asymptomatic spreading of coronavirus as “a game changer.”
“We are taking action to protect our hospitals, to help our medical providers and prepare for the patient surge that we know is coming,” Kemp said Wednesday. “Now is the time to fight and continue to be strong and courageous.”
The governor’s shelter-in-place order follows mounting pressure from health experts and politicians from both parties who have called for a statewide approach. Up to this point, Kemp has largely deferred to city and county authorities to decide whether to issue stay-at-home orders for their areas.
Kemp drew criticism Thursday from local officials and political opponents who blasted his reliance on this week’s new federal guidelines, arguing the governor and state health officials should have known much sooner about the ability of the virus to spread without symptoms.
Officials with the governor’s office stressed Kemp’s decision was also based heavily on the worsening strain hospitals are facing with shortages in protective gear and life-saving equipment, as well as new projections for patient capacity at Georgia hospitals to peak later this month.
In a news release Thursday, the state Department of Public Health pointed to information from CDC Robert Redfield that as many as 25% of people infected with coronavirus do not show symptoms and can be infectious up to 48 hours before symptoms appear. Redfield provided that information on Monday, the state public health agency noted.
The best way to halt the spreading virus and ease the burden for hospitals is for everyone to keep their distance from each other and practice good sanitary habits, said Dr. Kathleen Toomey, the state public health commissioner.
“Until now, containing the spread of COVID-19 has been based on early detection and isolation of people with symptoms of the virus,” Toomey said in a statement Thursday. “Social distancing and keeping people apart from each other are now more than just recommendations; they are the best weapons we have to stop the spread of COVID-19.”
ATLANTA – The number of unemployment claims filed in Georgia grew
exponentially last week as the coronavirus pandemic continued to cause massive job
losses.
The Georgia Department of Labor processed 133,820 claims during
the week of March 22 through March 28, an all-time high and significantly above
the 12,140 claims filed during the previous week.
“People are anxious and worried about their health, their families
and how they are going to continue to make it financially during these
uncertain times,” Commissioner of Labor Mark Butler said Thursday. “We are here
to help. … Our team is working overtime, nights and weekends to process the
tremendous volume.”
With a record number of claims being filed, the labor department dispersed
more than $14.5 million in unemployment benefits to 64,022 Georgians during the
week ending March 28.
The $2 trillion economic stimulus package Congress passed last week extends state unemployment benefits by 13 weeks and includes $600 per week in addition to regular state benefits.
The
state labor department signed all of the necessary agreements last weekend to
access funding for this program. The agency is still waiting to receive
guidelines from the U.S. Department of Labor on how to administer the money on
behalf of the federal government.
The
state labor department also is continuing to work
with employers to get Georgians back to work. More than 116,000 jobs are listed
online at www.EmployGeorgia.com for Georgians to access.
Information on filing an unemployment claim, details on how
employers must file partial claims, and resources for other reemployment
assistance can be found on the agency’s webpage at www.gdol.ga.gov
ATLANTA – Georgia will be placed under a statewide shelter-in-place order starting Friday through April 13 as coronavirus infections have brought the state’s hospitals to a tipping point, Gov. Brian Kemp announced Wednesday.
Public schools will also remain closed
for the rest of the school year, Kemp said at a news conference Wednesday
afternoon.
The governor said information from the federal
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that people can spread the virus
before showing any symptoms marked “a game changer.” It was at that point he
decided to issue a shelter-in-place order.
Additionally, modeling from the
University of Washington predicts the state’s hospitals will reach peak
capacity on April 23 even with strict so-called social distancing practices
being followed, Kemp said.
“We are taking action to protect our
hospitals, to help our medical providers and prepare for the patient surge that
we know is coming,” Kemp said. “Now is the time to fight and continue to be
strong and courageous.”
As of noon Wednesday, more than 4,600
Georgians had tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel
strain of coronavirus that has sparked a global pandemic. It had killed 139
patients from Georgia.
Kemp said he would sign and publish an
executive order Thursday that will include a wide range of provisions for the
shelter-in-place rules, including for deputizing law enforcement personnel to
enforce the order. The order will also likely exempt some industry sectors like
grocery stores, pharmacies and medical supply providers.
“We’re going to have a lot of information
in this order,” Kemp said.
As of Wednesday morning, Kemp said the
state’s hospitals had a total inventory of 3,520 medical surgical beds and
1,600 ventilators. Several hospitals, particularly in hard-hit areas in the
northwest and southern parts of the state, have already been taxed with an
influx of patients in recent weeks as the virus took root in Georgia.
On top of hospitals filling up, state
health officials are aware of 47 elderly care facilities that have experienced
outbreaks of coronavirus, said Dr. Kathleen Toomey, the state public health
commissioner. Seniors and chronically ill persons are most at risk from deadly
health effects from the virus.
Earlier this week, the governor
authorized around 100 Georgia National Guard members to prop up operations at
long-term senior care facilities where cases of coronavirus have been
confirmed.
Also, health officials have identified at
least five outbreaks stemming from church gatherings plus more outbreaks
connected to funerals, Toomey said. She cautioned that any situation in which
people congregate now “can be a potential site for transmission.”
Toomey echoed Kemp’s point that a
statewide shelter-in-place order now will help hospitals endure a surge of
patients expected as this month progresses.
“Now is the time to stop that
transmission before the hospitals get overrun,” Toomey said.
“This is absolutely not just like the
flu,” she added. “It’s many times more transmissible, and it’s much more
deadly.”
Kemp cautioned that with schools closed
and people staying home instead of working, state officials and local hospitals
are seeing an increase in cases of domestic violence.
And hundreds of thousands of people,
suddenly out of jobs or with their work hours severely cut, are “facing
financial ruin because of this virus,” Kemp said.
“We will continue to do whatever it takes
to help keep our families safe and ensure a strong and prosperous future,” Kemp
said.
The governor’s shelter-in-place order
follows mounting pressure from health experts and politicians from both parties
who have called for a statewide approach. Up to this point, Kemp has largely
deferred to city and county authorities to decide whether to issue stay-at-home
orders for their areas.
Speaking Wednesday, Kemp acknowledged
that many people in Georgia have been voluntarily isolating themselves from
social gatherings but that formal rules “vary by city and county.” He said
those who defy orders to stay at home and avoid crowds present a danger to the
public.
“The reality is that if you do not
comply, you are violating the law and you will be facing stiff penalties,” Kemp
said. “Even worse, you are literally endangering the lives of those around you,
your loved ones and fellow Georgians.”
Facing unprecedented times, the governor
urged people in Georgia not to panic and make a run on groceries. He stressed
that supply chains for food and other necessities should remain unbroken.
“I want to encourage my fellow Georgians
to hang in there,” Kemp said. “We must first overcome the obstacles we have in
our path. By doing this, we will get through this together.”
Georgia’s elections chief is leaving it up to the governor
and state legislature whether to postpone the May 19 primaries another month
after a prior delay in the face of coronavirus.
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger already has
put back Georgia’s originally scheduled March 24 presidential primary to May
19, coinciding with the state and local primaries. But Georgia House Speaker
David Ralston and all 11 Republican members of the state’s congressional
delegation are pushing to delay all of the primaries until mid-June.
Such a delay would be both impractical and unlawful,
Raffensperger said earlier this week.
But in an interview with Capitol Beat News Service
Wednesday, Raffensperger said he would not stand in the way of the General
Assembly or Gov. Brian Kemp if they decide to take the necessary executive and
legislative actions to delay the May 19 primaries.
To do so, Kemp would need to extend the public health
emergency Georgia is under because of the COVID-19 outbreak beyond its current
April 13 expiration date, Raffensperger said. State lawmakers would also need
to reconvene and pass legislation to push back the state and local primaries
from their May 19 date, as well as the presidential primary by another 45 days.
“If they want to move it, let us know what date it is and
we’ll have it on that date,” Raffensperger said.
Kemp’s office declined to comment Wednesday around noon,
noting the governor plans to hold a press conference at 4 p.m. during which he
will take questions from reporters about the primary.
As of noon Wednesday, more than 4,600 Georgians have tested
positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel strain of coronavirus
that has sparked a global pandemic. It has killed 139 patients from Georgia.
Asked if he felt conditions would be safe enough for
in-person early voting starting late this month and for the May 19 primary day,
Raffensperger said that is a tough prediction to make.
“Four to six weeks ago, the stock market was at record high
and unemployment at record low,” Raffensperger said Wednesday. “Where we’ll be
with coronavirus in two, four, six weeks from now is difficult to determine at
the present time.”
Ralston, the House speaker, penned a letter Sunday requesting that the primaries be reset for June 16 to give the state “more time for testing health responses and other precautions.” He countered that Raffensperger could already postpone the presidential primary due to an overlapping federal emergency declaration, while suggesting state party leaders would be open to a delay even if it conflicts with the national party conventions.
Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, reiterated that stance in a radio interview Wednesday morning, arguing that either the governor or Raffensperger himself could still postpone the primaries without running afoul of state law.
“The most non-feasible way is to have the members of the General Assembly called back in to violate every directive issued by the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] and President Trump to do this when God knows how long we would have to be there debating it,” Ralston said.
“That’s a cop-out position,” he added.
The General Assembly should not have to reconvene to change
the primary date if Raffensperger and Kemp decide that is the course they want
to take, said Kaleb McMichen, a spokesman for the speaker’s office.
The House speaker also said he has already fielded concerns
that many poll workers may not show up for the May 19 election to avoid
coronavirus exposure.
“We can’t tell the people of Georgia today that they will be
safe in going to vote on that day, physically going to the voting precinct that
day,” Ralston said. “And until we get to that point, I think it’s premature to
set this primary.”
In a separate letter sent Tuesday, the state’s 11 Republican
members of Congress – nine representatives and two senators – also urged
Raffensperger to push back the primaries “to the latest date possible” to curb
health risks from coronavirus. They worried the May 19 date could expose older
poll workers to the virus and create huge costs for local governments to
sanitize voting precincts.
“The right to vote is a fundamental right that should be
guaranteed to each and every eligible Georgia citizen,” the letter states.
“Georgia voters should not be asked to choose between exercising that right and
following the guidance of federal, state and local officials to keep
themselves, their families and our communities healthy.”
Raffensperger said his office has already received shipments
of sanitary wipes for local precincts to use and has put in an order for
protective N95 face masks. He said his office plans to draw up sanitation
guidelines that counties would then have to adopt themselves.
State law requires three weeks of in-person early voting ahead of the May 19 primary, Raffensperger noted. To discourage in-person voting, his office is mailing out applications for absentee ballots to all 6.9 million registered Georgia voters.
“With times such as these, people are in certain places,”
Raffensperger said. “We’re here now and we’ll put our heads together to find
solutions. We’ll figure it all out, one way or another. But I’m really
confident.”
ATLANTA – The
University System of Georgia became fully online this week, with online courses
substituting for in-person instruction due to the coronavirus pandemic, system
Chancellor Steve Wrigley said Wednesday.
Wrigley
praised both the system’s IT staff for setting up the online system and university
faculty for converting their courses to online.
“In highly
unusual circumstances, people have worked very hard not to just deal with them
but to overcome them,” Wrigley told members of the university system Board of
Regents during a special called meeting by telephone to discuss the system’s
response to the public health crisis.
Tristan
Denley, executive vice chancellor for academic affairs, said the system’s internet
traffic nearly doubled on Monday when the online courses began.
“With that
significant increase in traffic, we have monitored it closely to make sure
students didn’t have any difficulty getting into the system,” he said. “It was
very smooth.”
Gov. Brian
Kemp, using emergency powers to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak granted him by
the General Assembly two weeks ago ordered all of Georgia’s public colleges and
universities, technical colleges and public schools closed until March 31, an
order he later extended until April 24.
The
university system has gone a step further by closing all of its campuses for
the remainder of the spring semester.
Wrigley said
most campuses have finished moving students out of their dorms, and the schools
are working to issue refunds for services students have paid for but won’t be
receiving.
On another
front, the chancellor updated the regents on what the university system is
doing to help the state’s public health and emergency management agencies
respond to COVID-19.
On Tuesday, Kemp’s
office announced state health officials are working with the university system
and Emory University on ramping up coronavirus testing in Georgia with a goal
of processing more than 3,000 test samples per day.
University System of Georgia Chancellor Steve Wrigley
Wrigley thanked
the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Georgia State University and Augusta University
for participating in the project.
The
chancellor said system campuses also are pitching in with supplies hospitals
need to safety treat a growing number of coronavirus patients, including
personal protective equipment (PPEs), which are in short supply at hospitals
across the country because of the unprecedented demand prompted by the
pandemic.
“We want to
make sure our assets are deployed as effectively as possible,” Wrigley said.
