This archive report was first published on 21 April 2020.
On April 21, 2020, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced the easing of lockdown restrictions in the state, allowing non-essential businesses to reopen. The move comes as the state has recorded over 19,000 confirmed cases and more than 770 deaths due to COVID-19.
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms of Atlanta, the capital, urged residents to continue following safety guidelines, stating, 'people to continue to stay home, follow the science and exercise common sense.'
However, Mayor Hardie Davis Jr. of Augusta expressed concerns over the decision, citing the potential for increased transmission in close-proximity settings such as gyms, barbershops, and salons.
Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, meanwhile, expressed alarm over the move, tweeting that Georgia was 'going too fast too soon' and warning that the state's actions could impact neighboring South Carolina.
