Georgia Governor Is Reopening His State on Friday

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) will be reopening parts of his state's economy this Friday, April 24, because they are on track to meeting Phase 1 of the White House's criteria to reopen the country. The Department of Public Health, he explained, is reporting a flattening of COVID-19 cases.

Governor Brian Kemp is allowing gyms, barbers, cosmetologists, and other similar businesses statewide to reopen THIS FRIDAY APRIL 24. #11Alive

— Chenue Her (@ChenueHer) April 20, 2020

KEMP: This Friday allowing certain businesses to reopen:
Gyms
Fitness centers
Barbers
Hair dressers
Nail salons
Massage therapists.

Expecting they still practice social distancing, regular santization, testing workers for flu and teleworking where possible @FOX5Atlanta #Fox5atl

— Christine Sperow FOX 5 (@ChristineOnTV) April 20, 2020

Come Monday, April 27, movie theaters and restaurants will also open their doors. Businesses that must remain closed include bars, night clubs, amusement parks, and live venues. Elective surgeries can resume. And the statewide shelter-in-place order will expire on April 30.

Gov. Kemp noted that Friday will not be "business as usual." He urged Georgians to still follow precautions, such as practicing sanitation and social distancing. As they prepare to reopen, Kemp explained that he is working with the Georgia Health system to "double down" on testing capacity because that "aids our long term strategy."

Other states, however, have a long way to go before they're out of the woods. While New York hospitalizations have stabilized, they are still nearing nearly a quarter of a million cases.

President Trump and his coronavirus task force unveiled their 3-phase plan to reopen America last week. They hope to reopen certain parts of the country by May 1.