Governor Brian Kemp has signed an executive order that will lift a widespread of COVID-19 restrictions including shelter in place orders and the reopening of more venues.
The order goes into effect at 12 a.m. on June 16 and runs through 11:59 p.m. on June 30.
The order addresses the reopening and regulations of several things including shelter in place, sports, large gatherings, restaurants and summer camps.
Sports: Effective June 16, professional sports teams and organizations must follow the rules and guidelines set by their respective leagues. High school and collegiate teams and organizations must follow the rules and guidelines set by their applicable conferences or associations. Amateur sports teams and organizations must follow the criteria for non-critical infrastructure entities outlined in the order.
Sheltering in Place: Effective immediately, residents and visitors of Georgia who are 65 years of age or older are no longer required to shelter in place unless they live in a long-term care facility or have underlying health issues.
Gatherings: Effective June 16, gatherings of more than fifty people are banned unless there is at least six feet between each person.
Drinking and Eating (effective June 16): In restaurants and dining rooms, there is no longer a party maximum for the number of people who can sit together. There is no longer a limit on the number of patrons allowed per square foot. Workers at restaurants, dining rooms, banquet facilities, private event facilities, and private reception venues are only required to wear face coverings when they are interacting with patrons. In a bar, now you can have fifty people – up from twenty-five – or thirty-five percent of total listed fire capacity, whichever is greater.
Overnight Summer Camps (effective June 16): Campers and workers may not attend an overnight summer camp unless they have received a negative COVID-19 test within twelve days – up from seven days – prior to starting camp.
Conventions: Effective July 1, a “convention” may occur if it meets 21 specific requirements in addition to the requirements for non-critical infrastructure entities. “Convention” means “an organized event of more than 100 persons that are required to register or obtain a license to gather for a common purpose at a single indoor facility or grouping of indoor facilities for more than four hours and in some cases for more than one day” and “shall include exhibitions, trade shows, conferences, and business retreats.”
Live Performance Venues: Effective July 1, a “live performance venue” may reopen for business if it complies with specific criteria based on whether it is designated Tier I, II, or III. There are certain exceptions in the order for drive-in performances; private recording sessions, livestream performances, practices, fanless events, and rehearsals; and non-ticketed or free events.
Theaters: Effective June 16, at indoor movie theaters and cinemas, there is no longer a limit on the number of people who may sit together in a party.
