Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has just announced that he will be approving the incremental reopening of the state's economy by allowing a series of business resume operation this Friday. Kemp announced on Twitter, "Due to favorable data & more testing, gyms, fitness centers, bowling alleys, body art studios, barbers, cosmetologists, hair designers, nail care artists, estheticians, their respective schools & massage therapists can reopen Friday, April 24 with Minimum Basic Operations." 

Residents of Georgia can expect theaters and restaurants to begin opening their doors starting April 27 according to Kemp's follow-up tweet. "Subject to specific social distancing & sanitation mandates, theaters, private social clubs & restaurant dine-in services will be allowed to reopen on Monday, April 27. We'll release more information in the next few days." 

Kemp stated that bars, live events, nightclubs, and amusement parks would remain closed, and "The shelter in place order is still active and expires at 11:59 PM on April 30 for most Georgians. We urge everyone to continue to follow @CDCgov & @GaDPH guidance by sheltering in place as often as you can."

The current plan put forth by the federal government to reopen the economy takes a three-phase approach. Kemp believes that Georgia "meets the criteria for Phase One" considering their hospital capacity and test availability. However, Georgia is ahead of the federally proposed May 1 reopen date, not to mention the state ranks 11th among the states hit the hardest by COVID-19.

Source: twitter.com