Georgia shelter-in-place order begins 6 p.m. Friday

    Amid the push to curb coronavirus, a statewide shelter-in-place order that will shutter in-person patronizing of bars, gyms, restaurants, theaters and many other activities is set to begin at 6 p.m. Friday and last through April 13.

   Gov. Brian Kemp issued an executive order Thursday evening that exempts a range of activities deemed “essential services” like food and medical supply pick-ups and deliveries, critical infrastructure and those that help maintain minimum business operations.

   READ THE ENTIRE ORDER HERE

   Many types of businesses deemed essential will remain open but under tightened rules to keep work areas clean and for people to keep six feet of distance at minimum between each other, as well as a maximum of 10 people per any given space.

   Restaurants will have to close in-person dining areas, but food pick-ups and deliveries will be allowed. People in Georgia will also be able to travel to grocery stores, medical appointments and pharmacies, according to the governor’s office.

   “Preference should be given to online ordering, home delivery and curbside pick-up services wherever possible as opposed to in-store shopping,” the order says.

   Exercising is allowed outside so long as people keep their distance from each other, the order says.

   Critical infrastructure, per federal guidelines, includes health-care sectors, law enforcement and first-responder agencies, food and agriculture industries, energy companies, water and sewer utilities, trucking, public transit, information technology and more.

   The order also requires rules at businesses that remain open, including health screenings, hand washing, staggered shifts and teleworking where possible.

   Gov. Brian Kemp announced Wednesday he would sign the order following changes to federal modeling and guidelines earlier this week that account for the fact that the respiratory virus can spread from infected persons who do not show symptoms.

   As of noon Thursday, more than 5,400 Georgians had tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel strain of coronavirus that has sparked a global pandemic. It had killed 176 patients from Georgia.

   Kemp also signed an executive order Wednesday to close in-person classes for all Georgia public schools for the rest of the current school year. Thousands of schools across the state are poised to lean on online instruction to finish the spring term.

   Per the order, enforcing the shelter-in-place will be left to Georgia State Patrol officers and any state agency members deputized by the governor or the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency.

   Those officials, along with state Department of Public Health officers, will have authority to close any business or organization not complying with the order. Individual violators will be charged with a misdemeanor.

   At a news conference Wednesday, Kemp called revised guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on asymptomatic spreading of coronavirus as “a game changer.”

   “We are taking action to protect our hospitals, to help our medical providers and prepare for the patient surge that we know is coming,” Kemp said Wednesday. “Now is the time to fight and continue to be strong and courageous.”

   The governor’s shelter-in-place order follows mounting pressure from health experts and politicians from both parties who have called for a statewide approach. Up to this point, Kemp has largely deferred to city and county authorities to decide whether to issue stay-at-home orders for their areas.

   Kemp drew criticism Thursday from local officials and political opponents who blasted his reliance on this week’s new federal guidelines, arguing the governor and state health officials should have known much sooner about the ability of the virus to spread without symptoms.

   Officials with the governor’s office stressed Kemp’s decision was also based heavily on the worsening strain hospitals are facing with shortages in protective gear and life-saving equipment, as well as new projections for patient capacity at Georgia hospitals to peak later this month.

   In a news release Thursday, the state Department of Public Health pointed to information from CDC Robert Redfield that as many as 25% of people infected with coronavirus do not show symptoms and can be infectious up to 48 hours before symptoms appear. Redfield provided that information on Monday, the state public health agency noted.

   The best way to halt the spreading virus and ease the burden for hospitals is for everyone to keep their distance from each other and practice good sanitary habits, said Dr. Kathleen Toomey, the state public health commissioner.

   “Until now, containing the spread of COVID-19 has been based on early detection and isolation of people with symptoms of the virus,” Toomey said in a statement Thursday. “Social distancing and keeping people apart from each other are now more than just recommendations; they are the best weapons we have to stop the spread of COVID-19.”

POSITIVE CASES

   According to the Department of Public Health web site, there were still only two Habersham County residents who were reported as testing positive for COVID-19. Neither of those patients were being treated at Habersham Medical Center at press time for this edition.

   As of noon Thursday, HMC had administered 41 tests for the virus with 35 negatives and six still pending. CEO Lynn Boggs said the hospital has an adequate supply of tests and were solid on Personal Protective Equipment, with more coming today. The DPH update at noon Thursday indicated that Georgia had 5,348 total cases with 1,056 hospitalized and 163 deaths.

   “Habersham is a resilient community rooted in faith and love for each other,” Habersham County Chairman Stacy Hall said Wednesday. “While we face uncertainty, we can rest assured that together, we will get through this difficult time. I ask for your prayers for all of our first responders and our medical professionals who dedicate themselves in service on the front lines of this pandemic.”

   In a separate order, the Center for Disease Control was expected to recommend Thursday night that Americans wear homemade facemasks to go out in public. Medical-grade masks would be reserved for those dealing with actual patients, the report said.

HABERSHAM SCHOOLS

   Public schools will remain closed for the rest of the school year. Superintendent Matthew Cooper said the  Habersham County School System will continue serving its students with food and “learning from home” plans for the rest of the academic year.

   Spring Break will still be observed by students and staff next week, April 6-10.

   Due to the closing of schools for the remainder of the year, Habersham Central Principal Jonathan Stribling has announced that the prom will not take place as scheduled on April 25. The administration will make a decision at a later time as to whether or not other options are possible regarding prom.

   Cooper said Wednesday that graduation is still scheduled for Friday, May 22, at 8 p.m. in Raider Stadium. The statewide schools closure will expire for Habersham County at 3:12 p.m. on May 22, unless other orders are issued by the governor. If graduation cannot be held on May 22, it will be held sometime during the summer. “At this point, we will continue to hold out hope that by May 22 it is safe enough here in Habersham County to hold graduation on the originally scheduled date,” Cooper said.

RECREATION

   All spring athletics for middle and high schools have been cancelled for the remainder of the year. The Ruby Fulbright Aquatic Center is closed to the public until further notice. All activities scheduled before April 27 will be cancelled and given the opportunity to reschedule or refund.

   Youth football and cheerleading registration is underway. Those interested can call 706-839-0234.

   Northeast Georgian editor Matthew Osborne contributed to this report.