On Apr. 20, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced that certain businesses in Georgia would be allowed to reopen beginning on Friday, Apr. 24 while others would open on Monday, Apr. 27. 

Kemp’s timetable is the most aggressive in the nation despite Georgia having the 12th most cases in the nation. Bowling alleys, hair salons, gyms, tattoo parlors, and other businesses which were deemed non-essential will be allowed open Friday. Movie theaters may reopen on Monday and  restaurants will be permitted to resume dine-in service on Monday as well. All businesses will be required to observe social distancing and hygiene requirements upon reopening. 

Kemp shut all businesses in March and issued a statewide shelter-in-place order on Apr. 3 which was renewed on Apr. 13 and will remain in place until Apr. 30. Kemp said that elderly or at-risk people should remain at home until May 13. He said that his plans to reopen businesses would play an essential role in helping the state’s economy.

“In the same way that we carefully closed businesses and urged operations to end to mitigate the virus’s spread, today we’re announcing plans to incrementally and safely reopen sectors of our economy,” Kemp said on Monday.

Kemp noted the decline in emergency room visits in justifying his actions. He announced greater testing efforts in the state thanks to Augusta University, the state’s medical college. The university offers an app that allows people to consult with physicians virtually. 

This story will be updated when further information about the City of Decatur’s policies are publicized.