Gov. Brian Kemp announced Wednesday a statewide shelter-in-place order to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic that has caused nearly 5,000 illnesses and about 140 deaths.
He also announced that he is closing all K-12 public schools through the end of the current school year, although online learning would continue.
Kemp said he will announce details about the shelter-in-place order on Thursday and it would take effect Friday. The order would run through April 13.
Kemp said the shelter-in-place order will keep Georgians “healthy and protected in every zip code across out state.”
“We are taking action to help our hospitals, to help our medical providers and to prepare for the patient surge we know is coming,” Kemp said. “This action will assure uniformity across all jurisdictions in our state for sheltering in place.”
The governor’s decision comes the same day that the Gainesville City Council and Hall County Commissioner also issued shelter-in-place orders, which requires people to stay at home unless they need to go on essential business, such as to go to a doctor’s appointment or to buy groceries. The orders also shuttered businesses considered nonessential.
At noon today, 4,638 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Georgia, with 139 deaths, according to the Department of Public Health website. In Hall County, 69 cases are confirmed. Updated numbers will be released at 7 p.m.
Kemp has been under increasing pressure from leaders of both parties to implement a statewide order, but he has been reluctant to do say, concerned that it could cripple the state’s economy, especially in areas of the state with few confirmed cases.
On Wednesday, the governors of South Carolina, Texas and Florida all implemented stronger statewide restrictions in an effort to slow the spread.
Kemp made his announcement in an outdoor news conference at the Capitol. He was joined by Dr. Kathleen Toomey, commissioner of the public health department. Toomey said evidence now shows widespread community spread of the virus.
“We don’t have a vaccine,” Toomey said. “Our bodies haven’t been exposed to this, and we can’t fight it off.”
