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Georgia's Shelter in Place Order

Shelter in Place

For official guidance from the Georgia Department of Economic Development that include detailed reopening information for each type of business, please click here.

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**UPDATE** - June 29, 2020

You can view a copy of the latest Executive Order related to Governor Kemp's Shelter in Place Order by clicking here.

  • The Governor's latest order extended the  expiration of his March 14 order to July 15.

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**UPDATE** - May 28, 2020

You can view a copy of the latest Executive Order related to the Governor Kemp's Shelter in Place Order by clicking here.

  • The public health state of emergency has been extended to 11:59 p.m. on June 12.

  • All Georgians and visitors are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings in public.

  • Symptoms of COVID-19 have been updated as identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and shall include at least the following: fever or chills; cough; shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; fatigue; muscle or body aches; headache; new loss of taste or smell; sore throat; congestion or runny nose; nausea or vomiting; and diarrhea.

  • The shelter in place order for Georgians who are 65 and older or medically fragile will continue through June 12, with exceptions for necessary activities, including work, medical appointments, grocery shopping, home health services, and related categories.

  • Starting June 1, gatherings of more than 25 people in a single location are allowed if you have at least six feet between each person.

  • Live performance venues remain closed.

  • Starting May 31, overnight summer camps are permitted in Georgia if they meet 33 specific criteria for reopening in addition to the requirements for operating a non-critical infrastructure business. There are also updated guidelines on summer camps (pages 33-34).

  • Starting June 1, bars and nightclubs can decide to reopen if they comply with 39 strict sanitation and social distancing rules and occupancy limits (page 19).

  • Banquet facilities, private event facilities, and private reception venues have been added to same category as restaurants and dine-in services so they have clear directives for operating.

  • Starting June 1, professional sports teams and organizations which engage in practices or other in-person operations must operate by the rules or guidelines of their respective sports league.

  •  Amateur sports must follow the guidelines for non-critical infrastructure organizations if they continue in-person operation.

  • On June 12, operators of amusement park rides, traveling carnivals, water parks, circuses, and other temporary amusement rides may begin operation, provided that they comply with 33 mandatory requirements in addition to all requirements for non-critical infrastructure businesses (pages 23-25).

  • Starting next month, schools and districts can hold summer school for students if they comply with eleven mandatory criteria (page 28).

  • Places of worship never closed in Georgia. However, congregations are encouraged to hold online or drive-in services to mitigate the risk of exposure. As many churches and religious institutions are beginning to reopen their doors for traditional services, Georgians are asked to continue to heed public health advice if they decide to attend in person.

 

Additionally:

  • Around-the-clock work continues at Georgia’s nursing homes to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

  • Testing around the state has increased exponentially.

  • Starting next week, the Department of Public Health will move to a daily 3 p.m. update, which will allow more time to coordinate with health care facilities and providers to verify information and check accuracy before publication.

  • This week, the Department of Public Health will distribute over 18,000 vials of remdesivir to eighty-five hospitals across the state. This shipment will enable these facilities to treat roughly 1,670 patients.

  • Georgia has also received word that full federal funding of National Guard activities will continue through mid-August.

  • Don’t forget to complete your 2020 Census form by visiting my2020Census.gov, calling 1-844-330-2020, or mailing back the paper form that you receive by mail. 

o   Note, we sent a reminder tweet about this today as well, linking to our blog post about how this count will shape our state for a decade.

  • Please keep regular medical appointments, and do not risk your health by postponing check-ups.

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**UPDATE** - May 12, 2020

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You can view a copy of the latest Executive Order related to the Governor Kemp's Shelter in Place Order by clicking here.

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  • Governor Kemp extended the executive order keeping live performance venues, bars, and nightclubs closed through May 31, 2020. The continued closure of government-operated public swimming pools was not extended in this order.

  • Regarding the safe reopening of state agencies, the Department of Administrative Services is taking the lead.

  • Guidance will be issued to employees, contractors and constituents – and more detailed announcements will be made in the coming days on how the state will be phasing into limited, in-person operations at state agencies.

  • All Georgians must continue to follow social distancing, and gatherings of more than 10 people remain banned unless a space of least six feet can be maintained between each person.

    • The gatherings ban applies to all non-critical infrastructure businesses, local governments, and organizations of all types, including social groups, informal get-togethers, and recreational sports, just to name a few.

    • The list of requirements for non-critical infrastructure has been extended to also include a 22nd provision regarding those establishments that use volunteers. The list has been updated in Category 3 here.

  • Georgians and visitors are encouraged to wear face coverings in public, per CDC recommendations.

  • Do not put off health care appointments. Please follow a regular screening and vaccination schedule to stay healthy.

  • Additionally, COVID-19 testing is available for all Georgians, regardless of whether you have coronavirus symptoms. Anyone can call their local health department to get scheduled for testing. They can also download the Augusta University ExpressCare app, visit augustahealth.org, or call (706) 721-1852.

 

Additional details on the new executive order:

  • This new executive order will increase the number of people allowed in a single classroom of a childcare facility from 10 to 20 people so long as staff-to-children ratios set by the Department of Early Care and Learning are also maintained.

  • New guidance was issued as part of the order for childcare facilities and summer day camps, which may begin on May 14, provided they follow 32 requirements.

    • Overnight summer camps are still prohibited at this time.

  • Some new provisions have been issued for gyms and fitness centers (classes are allowed, subject to strict social distancing and sanitation rules).

  • Restaurants may now allow 10 patrons per 300 square feet of space (a change from 10 patrons per 500 square feet) and increase the party size from six to 10 people per table.

Details on these changes and new requirements are forthcoming on the State's FAQ page.

 

Other COVID-19 information shared today:

  • To streamline contact tracing across the state, the Georgia Department of Public Health is rolling out a new online monitoring tool to assist with contact tracing. The Healthy Georgia Collaborative allows Georgians to identify contacts and monitor symptoms and will help map and isolate the spread of COVID-19 in communities across the state.

    • If you are contacted by DPH staff, you are strongly encouraged to participate in the contact tracing program.

  • Earlier today, Governor Kemp announced a donation by AT&T to the Georgia Department of Education, Foundation for Public Education to deploy 448 Wi-Fi Rangers to 36 school districts, filling the internet connectivity gap for thousands of students in rural areas, and tripling the number of Wi-Fi buses in the state. For more information, click here.

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**NEWS RELEASE** - May 1, 2020                                                                                             

 

Gov. Kemp, Dr. Toomey Urge Georgians to

Wear Face Coverings to Fight COVID-19

 

Atlanta – Governor Brian P. Kemp, Dr. Kathleen Toomey, and the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) urge all Georgians to continue to follow safe daily habits to reduce our risk of exposure to COVID-19 and keep the virus from spreading. Wear a face covering in public settings, practice social distancing, and wash your hands frequently.

A cloth face covering should be worn whenever people are in a community setting where social distancing may be difficult such as in the grocery store or picking up food at a restaurant or riding public transportation, and especially in areas of widespread community transmission of COVID-19. Cloth face coverings help slow the spread of the virus and help people who may be infected and not know it from transmitting it to others. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has easy to follow instructions on how to make a low-cost cloth face covering.

 

Cloth face coverings should allow for breathing without restriction, cover the nose and mouth and be laundered and machine dried after use.

 

Cloth face coverings should not be placed on children under the age of 2, or anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.

 

The use of cloth face coverings does not take the place of social distancing. Stay at least 6 feet from other people, do not gather in groups, stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings.

Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol) when soap and water are not readily available. Practice good health hygiene covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

For more information about COVID-19 visit https://dph.georgia.gov/novelcoronavirus or https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

 

For updates on COVID-19, follow @GaDPH, @GeorgiaEMA, and @GovKemp on Twitter and @GaDPH, @GEMA.OHS, and @GovKemp on Facebook.

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**UPDATE** - April 24, 2020

Under Governor Kemp’s plan for Reviving a Healthy Georgia:

  • The executive order, which is effective until May 13th, encourages all Georgians to continue practicing social distancing and refrain from gathering in groups of more than 10 people if they are unable to maintain a 6-foot distance from each other.

  • Medically fragile and elderly Georgians should make plans to shelter in place at least through May 13th – this includes individuals over the age of 65, those in nursing homes or long-term care facilities, or those with compromised immune systems. Please see page 5 of the Executive Order for the full list of criteria.

  • Friday, April 24, in all jurisdictions, the state will allow gyms, fitness centers, bowling alleys, body art studios, barbers, cosmetologists, hair designers, nail care artists, estheticians, their respective schools, and massage therapists to reopen their doors.

    • To view the reopening guidelines for Barber and Cosmetology Salons, follow this link

    • ​​You can find the list of reopening guidelines for gyms, fitness centers, bowling alleys, body art studios, and estheticians on Pages 14-17 of the Executive Order.

  • On Monday, April 27, in all jurisdictions, restaurant dine-in services will be allowed to reopen, subject to specific social distancing and sanitation mandates as outlined on Pages 6-9 of the Executive Order. These mandates include, but are not limited to:

    • No more than 10 patrons will be allowed in the facility per 500 square feet.

    • All employees are required to wear masks at all times.

    • Employers must screen and evaluate workers who exhibit signs of illness, such as a fever over 100.4 degrees and a cough or shortness of breath.

    • Party size is limited to no more than 6 per table.

    • Salad bars and buffets are no longer allowed.

    • Items must be removed from self-service drink, condiment, utensil and tableware stations and have workers provide those items to patrons.

    • Encourages restaurants to use disposable menus.

    • Encourages restaurants to move to a reservation-only business model or call ahead for seating.

  • This Order establishes new, less restrictive guidelines for both Critical Infrastructure and Non-Critical Infrastructure businesses. You can find the new guidelines on Pages 10-12.

  • Public swimming pools, bars, operators of amusement park rides, and live performance venues will remain closed until May 13th.

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**UPDATE** - April 20, 2020

On Monday, April 20, 2020, Governor Kemp announced plans to ease restrictions on businesses. Below are highlights from his press conference:

  • Georgia is positioned to secure the necessary personal protective equipment for healthcare facilities to resume elective surgeries deemed essential.

  • The “shelter in place” order is still active and will expire at 11:59 PM on April 30 for most Georgians. Everyone is encouraged to continue to follow CDC and DPH guidance by sheltering in place as often as they can.

  • Medically fragile and elderly Georgians should make plans to shelter in place at least through May 13 – the date Georgia’s Public Health Emergency expires.

  • Statewide, this Friday, April 24, in all jurisdictions, given the favorable data, enhanced testing, and approval of our healthcare professionals, the state will allow gyms, fitness centers, bowling alleys, body art studios, barbers, cosmetologists, hair designers, nail care artists, estheticians, their respective schools, and massage therapists to reopen their doors. This measure allows them to undertake baseline operations that most other businesses in the state have maintained since the shelter-in-place order took effect.

    • For these entities, it will not be 'business as usual.'

    • They must adherence to Minimum Basic Operations, social distancing, and regular sanitation.

    • Minimum Basic Operations includes, but is not limited to, screening workers for fever and respiratory illness, enhancing workplace sanitation, wearing masks and gloves if appropriate, separating workspaces by at least six feet, teleworking where at all possible, and implementing staggered shifts. See the attached Executive Order for more guidelines.

  • Statewide, on Monday, April 27, in all jurisdictions, theaters, private social clubs, and restaurant dine-in services will be allowed to reopen, subject to specific social distancing and sanitation mandates.

  • Bars, nightclubs, operators of amusement park rides, and live performance venues will remain closed.

    •  In the days ahead, the state will be evaluating the data and conferring with public health officials to determine the best course of action for those establishments.

  • For places of worship, holding in-person services is allowed, but under Phase One guidelines, it must be done in accordance with strict social distancing protocols. Faith leaders are urged to continue to help us in this effort and keep their congregations safe by heeding the advice of public health officials. Of course, online, call-in, or drive-in services remain good options for religious institutions.

 

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**UPDATE** - April 8, 2020

On April 8, Governor Kemp announced that he would extend the Shelter in Place Executive Order through April 30 and said that all provisions will remain in effect.  He also announced new Executive Orders related to the National Guard, nursing homes and short-term rentals.  Links to the Governor’s remarks and the Executive Orders released today are below:

 

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Governor Kemp Appoints County Advisory Committee for COVID-19 Issues

On April 7, 2020, Governor Brian Kemp appointed a committee of 15 county commissioners and three county administrators to provide him with recommendations of actions to address issues and concerns stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic as they relate to county governments.  ACCG President Billy Pittard chairs the committee, which held its first meeting today. Weekly meetings will be held, with key recommendations being conveyed each week to Governor Kemp. ACCG is convening and facilitating meetings of the committee.  

 

 

Things to know:

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How do I know if my business is identified as Critical Infrastructure?

Guidance for essential critical infrastructure is available from the Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). You can click here to download a PDF version of this guidance.

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Business owners and managers are encouraged to review CISA's guidelines to self determine if they fit the definition of Critical Infrastructure. If you have any question about whether or not you may fit this definition, please contact us and we will forward your request to the appropriate state agencies.

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What businesses and professionals must cease in-person operations and close to the public during this time?

  • Added April 9: Short-term vacation rentals

    • The term “vacation rental” means any transaction to lease or license residential property for residential or vacation purposes, facilitated by a third party or broker for thirty days or less between a corporation, partnership, person, or other entity and a private person. Please note, this order does not include hotels, including extended stay hotels, motels, campgrounds, or purely commercial transactions. This order does not include any vacation rental which has been fully paid and executed or agreed to before Thursday, April 9.

  • Bars

  • Nightclubs

  • Gyms

  • Fitness Clubs

  • Bowling Allies

  • Theaters

  • Live Performance Venues

  • Operators of Amusement Parks

  • Dine-in services at Restaurants and Private Social Clubs

    • Exceptions: take-out, curbside pick-up, delivery, and dine-in services at hospitals, healthcare facilities, nursing homes, or other long-term care facilities​

  • Estheticians (e.g. waxing, threading, eyelash extensions, cosmetic treatments)

  • Hair Designers

  • Body Art Studios

  • Beauty Shops and Salons (including home beauty shops and salons)

  • Barber Shops (including home barber shops)

  • Cosmetology Schools

  • Hair Design Schools

  • Barbering Schools

  • Esthetics Schools

  • Nail Care Schools

  • Licensed Massage Therapists

 

Exceptions to the Basic Rule

A resident or visitor of Georgia is not required to shelter in place if they are:

  • Engaging in Essential Services

    • Obtaining necessary supplies and services for your household, engaging in activities essential for the health and safety of your household, and engaging in outdoor exercise so long as you have at least six (6) feet between people who do not live in your household.​

  • Working in Critical Infrastructure

    • A businesses, establishments, corporations, non-profit corporations, and organizations as defined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as "essential critical ​infrastructure workforce," in guidance dated March 19, 2020 and revised on March 29, 2020, and those suppliers which provide essential goods and services for the critical infrastructure workforce as well as entities that provide legal services, home hospice, and non-profit corporations or non-profit organizations that offer food distribution or other health or mental health services.

    • Please note that business owners or managers should use these guidelines to self determine if their business or organization fits the definition of Critical Infrastructure.​

  • Engaging in Minimum Basic Operations

    • The minimum necessary activities to maintain the value of a business, establishment, corporations, non-profit corporation, or organization, provide services, manage inventory, ensure security, process payroll and employee benefits, or for related functions. More details on these basic operations in addition to the twenty (20) requirements of a business in order to remain open and engaging in minimum basic operations can be found on Attachment B of the Statewide Shelter in Place Handout put out by the Office of the Governor.

  • Performing Necessary Travel

    • ​Travel required for someone to conduct or participate in Essential Services, Minimum Basic Operations, or work for Critical Infrastructure.

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GDEcD's Guide

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Following Governor Kemp’s April 3 – 13, 2020, Executive Order:
Should My Business Remain Open?

Gov. Kemp’s “Executive Order to Ensure a Safe and Healthy Georgia” includes federal guidance to determine “critical infrastructure” from the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), included on pages 7 - 19 of the state’s “Statewide Shelter In Place Handout” here.

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A breakdown and description of three business categories, with descriptions of “critical” and “non-critical” infrastructure and requirements are listed below. Please read these guidelines in their entirety to understand how your business is impacted by this order as well as to help you make a self-determination as to whether your business is “critical infrastructure” and how best to proceed.

 

While the statewide executive order is in place, businesses fall into one of three categories:

1.  Businesses that must cease in-person operations and close to the public are:

  • Bars

  • Nightclubs

  • Gyms

  • Fitness centers

  • Bowling allies

  • Theaters

  • Live performance venues

  • Operators of amusement parks

  • Dine-in services at restaurants and private social clubs

    • ​Exceptions: Take-out; curbside pick-up; delivery; and dine-in services at hospitals, healthcare facilities, nursing homes, or other long-term care facilities

  • Estheticians (e.g., waxing, threading, eyelash extensions, cosmetic treatments)

  • Hair designers

  • Body art studios (commonly known as tattoo parlors)

  • Beauty shops and salons (including home beauty shops and salons)

  • Cosmetology schools

  • Hair design schools

  • Barbering schools

  • Esthetics schools

  • Nail care schools

  • Licensed massage therapists

 

2. Businesses that fall into the category of “critical infrastructure*” may continue operations, with a strong suggestion that they implement measures that mitigate the exposure and spread of COVID-19 among its workforce and fulfill the following requirements:

  1. Screening and evaluating workers who exhibit signs of illness, such as a fever over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, cough, or shortness of breath

  2. Requiring workers who exhibit signs of illness to not report to work or to seek medical attention;

  3. Enhancing sanitation of the workplace as appropriate;

  4. Requiring hand washing or sanitation by workers at appropriate places within the business location;

  5. Providing personal protective equipment as available and appropriate to the function and location of the worker within the business location;

  6. Prohibiting gatherings of workers during working hours;

  7. Permitting workers to take breaks and lunch outside, in their office or personal workspace, or in such other areas where proper social distancing is attainable;

  8. Implementing teleworking for all possible workers;

  9. Implementing staggered shifts for all possible workers;

  10. Holding all meetings and conferences virtually, wherever possible;

  11. Delivering intangible services remotely wherever possible;

  12. Discouraging workers from using other workers’ phones, desks, offices, or other work tools and equipment;

  13. Providing disinfectant and sanitation products for workers to clean their workspace, equipment, and tools;

  14. Prohibiting handshaking and other unnecessary person-to-person contact in the workplace; and

  15. Placing notices that encourage hand hygiene at the entrance to the workplace and in other workplace areas where they are likely to be seen; and

  16. Suspending the use of Personal Identification Number (“PIN”) pads, PIN entry devices, electronic signature capture, and any other credit card receipt signature requirements to the extent such suspension is permitted by agreements with credit card companies and credit agencies.

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3.  Other businesses considered “non-critical infrastructure” may continue their work to perform “minimum basic operations**,” and must fulfill the following requirements:

  1. Screening and evaluating workers who exhibit signs of illness, such as a fever over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, cough, or shortness of breath;

  2. Requiring workers who exhibit signs of illness to not report to work or to seek medical attention;

  3. Enhancing sanitation of the workplace as appropriate;

  4. Requiring hand washing or sanitation by workers at appropriate places within the business location;

  5. Providing personal protective equipment as available and appropriate to the function and location of the worker within the business location;

  6. Prohibiting gatherings of workers during working hours;

  7. Permitting workers to take breaks and meals outside, in their office or personal workspace, or in such other areas where proper social distancing is attainable;

  8. Implementing teleworking for all possible workers;

  9. Implementing staggered shifts for all possible workers;

  10. Holding all meetings and conferences virtually, wherever possible;

  11. Delivering intangible services remotely wherever possible;

  12. Discouraging workers from using other workers’ phones, desks, offices, or other work tools and equipment;

  13. Prohibiting handshaking and other unnecessary person-to-person contact in the workplace;

  14. Placing notices that encourage hand hygiene at the entrance to the workplace and in other workplace areas where they are likely to be seen;

  15. Suspending the use of Personal Identification Number (“PIN”) pads, PIN entry devices, electronic signature capture, and any other credit card receipt signature requirements to the extent such suspension is permitted by agreements with credit card companies and credit agencies;

  16. Enforcing social distancing of non-cohabitating persons while present on such entity’s leased or owned property;

  17. For retailers and service providers, providing for alternative points of sale outside of buildings, including curbside pick-up or delivery of products and/or services if an alternative point of sale is permitted under Georgia law;

  18. Increasing physical space between workers and customers;

  19. Providing disinfectant and sanitation products for workers to clean their workspace, equipment, and tools;

  20. Increasing physical space between workers’ worksites to at least six (6) feet.

 

*Facilities that fall into the “Critical Infrastructure” category as determined by CISA are:

  • Chemical

  • Commercial Facilities

  • Communications

  • Critical Manufacturing

  • Dams

  • Defense Industrial Base

  • Emergency Services

  • Energy

  • Financial

  • Food & Agriculture

  • Government Facilities

  • Healthcare & Public Health

  • Information Technology

  • Nuclear Reactors, Materials & Waste

  • Transportation Services

  • Water 

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**For businesses that are deemed “non-critical infrastructure,” minimum basic operations include:

  1. The minimum necessary activities to maintain the value of a business, establishment, corporation, non-profit corporation, or organization, provide services, manage inventory, ensure security, process payroll and employee benefits, or for related functions. Such minimum necessary activities include remaining open to the public subject to the restrictions of this Order.

  2. The minimum necessary activities to facilitate employees or volunteers being able to work remotely from their residences or members or patrons being able to participate remotely from their residences.

  3. Instances where employees are working outdoors without regular contact with other persons, such as delivery services, contractors, landscape businesses, and agricultural industry services.

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