Controversially bold Georgia GOP Gov. Brian Kemp is lifting shelter in place orders for all but "elderly and medically vulnerable" residents at the stroke of midnight Thursday.
He also extended the public health state of emergency through June 12 in his state and will keep businesses on "strict social distancing and sanitation rules" until May 13.
But he announced, in a video posted on Twitter, he is signing an executive order to keep elderly and medically vulnerable to continue to shelter in place at least June 12.
Kemp tweeted:
"Today we are taking another measured step to protect the lives – and livelihoods – of all Georgians. We will continue to work around the clock to follow the data, heed the advice of public health officials, and keep Georgia families safe."
The video showed Kemp's announcements.
"To protect vulnerable populations, I will sign an order today to require medically fragile and elderly Georgians to continue to shelter in place through June 12, 2020," Kemp said in the video.
"In addition, I will order longterm care facilities, including nursing homes, personal care homes, assisted living facilities, and similar community-living homes to utilize enhanced infection control protocols, ensure safer living conditions, and protect residents and staff from coronavirus exposure."
Kemp has come under fire for having opened gyms, bowling alleys, and tattoo parlors before reaching the requirements for Phase 1 of the Reopening America Guidelines of the White House coronavirus task force. Even President Donald Trump said he "strongly disagrees" with Kemp's opening of non-essential businesses too soon.
Eric Mack ✉
Eric Mack has been a writer and editor at Newsmax since 2016. He is a 1998 Syracuse University journalism graduate and a New York Press Association award-winning writer.
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