GA bars and nightclubs can reopen June 1

Governor Brian Kemp announced Thursday afternoon that bars and nightclubs can decide to reopen on June 1, but must follow 39 mandatory measures to do so.

“Starting June 1, 2020, bars and nightclubs can decide to reopen if they comply with strict sanitation and social distancing rules, all crafted to reflect industry practices and mitigate health risk,” Kemp said. “To open their doors, bars and nightclubs must meet 39 mandatory measures to ensure patron well-being. Just to name a few, those include screening workers for illness, limiting the number of people in the building to 25 people or 35% of total occupancy, requiring the facility to be thoroughly and regularly sanitized, only serving drinks to seated patrons or those in designated areas, limiting party size to six people, and preventing patrons from congregating.”

Kemp also announced Thursday his decision to renew the State of Emergency for a third time through 11:59 p.m. on July 12, 2020 as well as signed a new executive order to extend specific safety precautions, guidance for overnight summer camps and summer school.

“Today, I signed a new executive order to extend specific safety precautions, outline guidance for overnight summer camps and summer school, and outline important rules for reopening shuttered businesses,” Kemp said. “The shelter-in-place order for Georgians who are 65 and older or medically fragile will continue through June 12, 2020 with exceptions for necessary activities, including work, medical appointments, grocery shopping, home health services, and related categories. I want to thank all of those who have followed this advice and those who have helped vulnerable loved ones navigate these difficult times. In this executive order, we continue to strongly encourage all Georgians and visitors to wear face coverings in public to mitigate viral spread, and restrictions remain intact for nearly every Georgia business to keep employees and customers safe.”

Kemp further shared that through favorable data and relying on Dr. Kathleen Toomey, Department of Public Health Commissioner, that they feel comfortable incrementally increasing gatherings to 25 people in a single location, which can begin on June 1 if you have at least six feet between each person.

“Small weddings, recreational sports, and similar events will be able to resume with a little more flexibility, but we are asking everyone to stay vigilant,” Kemp said. “Please continue to follow public health advice as you engage in these activities. Wash your hands, keep your distance, wear a mask, if possible, and protect the elderly and medically fragile from exposure. At this time, live performance venues will remain closed. I know these closures are tough on business owners, but we will continue to watch the data to ensure the health and safety of our citizens. We are working closely with business owners, associations and stakeholders to prepare for the future. Operators of amusement park rides, traveling carnivals, water parks, circuses, and other temporary amusement rides shall not begin operation until June 12, 2020. To open at that time, they must comply with 33 mandatory requirements in addition to all requirements for non-critical infrastructure businesses. We appreciate the guidance that we have received from stakeholders to develop these rules and prepare for future reopenings.”

“Finally, we are urging all Georgians not to hold off on important medical appointments,” Kemp said. “I cannot stress this enough: do not risk a bad health outcome by postponing necessary check-ups, screenings and procedures. Health care systems are having to furlough workers in the middle of a pandemic due to decreased demand for traditional services. Please get these appointments on your calendar, and help us get our health care providers back to work.”

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