Gov. Kemp issues his stay at home order for Georgia

ATLANTA, Georgia (WDEF) – Governor Brian Kemp issued his Stay at Home order for Georgia Thursday evening.

“This measure is a common sense, measured step forward to stop the spread of Covid-19.”

It orders both residents and visitors to Georgia to shelter in place.

The exceptions are essential services like buying food, supplies for consumption medical supplies or treatment or engaging in outdoor exercise activities, necessary travel, minimum basics of business, and working in a critical infrastructure sector.

“I want to urge all Georgians to remain calm through this process. You can still go to the grocery store and we’re working hard with retailers to keep the supply chain moving and the shelves stocked.”

The businesses that are ordered to shutdown deal with clients that they cannot social distance from.  Manufacturing is still exempt.

The order goes into affect at 6 PM on Friday.

We have gotten questions about whether the new order shuts down state parks or rivers and lakes.

It does NOT.  One of the exemptions on leaving home is for “outdoor exercise.”

Dade County officials have threatened to block off access to Cloudland Canyon State Park because of the large crowds going there now.

But the Governor says this will be the state standard now everywhere, so local governments are not allowed to do less or do more to restrict citizens.

Unlike in Tennessee, Gov. Kemp is also talking about enforcement.

“The order will also deputize state agencies including the Department of Public Health, Dept. of Public Safety and any other state department and state officer deputized by myself or GEMA to insure enforcement.”

But it does not allow local law enforcement to enforce the order, just the state patrol and state deputies.

The Governor will also release a way for citizens to complain about violations on Friday.

The Department of Natural Resources and the State Patrol will take the lead on the complaints.

“I’m asking Georgians to hunker down, follow the directives we’ve issued and help us flatten the curve.”

Here are more details from the order: