ATLANTA AND COLUMBIA, S.C. — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster each held press conferences Monday afternoon to announce how their respective states will begin reopening certain aspects of their economies.
Kemp said several retail categories in Georgia can begin reopening on Friday, April 24. The types of businesses include gyms, fitness centers, bowling alleys, body art studios, barbers, hair and nail salons, estheticians and massage therapists. Theaters and restaurants can reopen beginning on Monday, April 27. The governor’s mandate states that local ordinances cannot block the reopenings. Kemp issued a Stay-at-Home order for all Georgians that will expire April 30 and a public health emergency that will expire May 13. As of noon Monday, Kemp said there were 18,947 COVID-19 cases in Georgia with 733 deaths.
McMaster said some retailers in South Carolina, such as those selling furniture, books, music, flowers, clothing and accessories, as well as department stores, sporting goods stores and flea markets, can begin reopening immediately at 20 percent capacity, or five people per 1,000 square feet. Additionally, South Carolina beaches can reopen today at noon. As of Monday afternoon, South Carolina had 4,377 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 120 deaths.