Come Monday, May 31, remaining pandemic restrictions will be lifted on most Georgia businesses.
Gov. Brian Kemp on Friday signed a 22-page executive order that eliminates masking and social distancing rules for restaurants, bars, conventions, live performance venues, child care facilities and most other businesses. Previous executive orders had eliminated regulations for camps and sporting events.
"As hospitalizations, cases, deaths and percent positive tests all continue to decline - and with vaccinations on the rise - Georgians deserve to fully return to normal," Kemp said in a statement released Friday afternoon. "With safe and effective vaccines widely available and the public well-aware of all COVID-19 mitigation measures, mandates from state and local governments are no longer needed."
According to the Georgia Department of Public Health's vaccine dashboard, more than four million Georgians - or 39% - have received at least one dose of vaccine; 32% are fully vaccinated.
The document outlines limited guidelines for long-term care facilities in the state.
In addition, the new executive order says schools and school districts cannot require employees or students to wear a face covering while on school campuses. That particular provision has prompted pushback from some school districts in the state.
The latest executive order is in effect from May 31, 2021, through June 15, 2021.
To read the full content of Gov. Kemp's executive order, follow this link.
