Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp asked Georgia citizens to abide by the 10 people or less order about gathering issued by the White House and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
“While we have taken strategic, direct action today, I am calling on my fellow citizens to fight this virus with everything you’ve got,” Gov. Kemp said. “We are all part of this solution.”
He also ordered all bars and nightclubs closed, along with the provision of 10 people or less gathering in an area.
“The Department of Public Health will be empowered to close any business, establishment, nonprofit or organization for noncompliance,” Kemp said.
People with high risk of complications from the COVID-19 virus were also ordered to isolate, quarantine or shelter in place.
“At minimum, this order for isolation, quarantine or shelter in place covers those who live in a long-term care facility, have chronic lung disease, are undergoing cancer treatment, have a positive COVID-19 test, are suspected to have COVID-19 because of their symptoms and exposure, or have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19,” Kemp said.
Toward the end of his remarks, the governor asked citizens to join him in fighting the virus and gave the people of Georgia some directives.
“If your friends, neighbors or local organizations are not complying, call them out, or report them to us,” Kemp said. “If an establishment isn’t following these directives, take your business elsewhere.”
Kemp has activated the Georgia National Guard and is getting them lined up to support local hospitals. The first team will begin training with Grady Health System in the next 48 hours.
The state is working to identify additional bed space for medical use.
“Several hospitals are facing potential bed space shortages and supply issues,” Kemp said. “To address these problems, we have identified multiple options to bolster capacity.
“For example, in Dougherty County, emergency management officials are working to reopen Phoebe North, which is currently closed but will offer at least 26 rooms for patients once we get it back up and running. In Albany, we have identified an additional facility with capacity for roughly 60 medical and isolation beds if needed.”
Georgia is also seeing an increase in applications for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP and Peachcare for Kids.
“Last week alone, the Division of Family and Children Services received nearly 12,000 online (SNAP) applications — up from 6,400 online applications two weeks ago,” the governor said. “Those numbers do not include paper applications.”
State officials are working on plans to deal with the increases.
“We cannot let this virus defeat us,” Kemp ended. “We are stronger than this crisis, and we will weather the storm. Thank you, may God bless you, and may God bless the great State of Georgia.”