“I’ve spoken with several leaders across this state,” she said. “So we really are at a loss, and I am concerned as a mother and as the mayor of our capital city.”
The mayor’s remarks came after Kemp said earlier Monday that certain businesses in Georgia shuttered by the coronavirus pandemic — including gyms, hair salons, bowling alleys and tattoo parlors — could reopen as early as Friday if owners adhere to stringent social-distancing and hygiene requirements.
“I’m perplexed that we have opened up in this way. And again, I can’t stress enough, I work very well with our governor, and I look forward to having a better understanding of what his reasoning is,” Bottoms said. “But as I look at the data and as I talk with our public health officials, I don’t see that it’s based on anything that’s logical.”
Georgia residents remain under a statewide stay-at-home order Kemp imposed earlier this month, which is set to end on April 30. Federal social-distancing guidance will also expire on that date, although President Donald Trump last week rolled out a series of recommendations for a phased reopening of parts of the country.
The administration’s new guidelines call for states considering reopening to show a downward trajectory of coronavirus cases over a two-week period as well as institute a robust testing program for health care workers. Then, under phase one of the plan, restaurants, movie theaters, sporting venues, places of worship and gyms may reopen if they practice social-distancing measures.
In addition to Kemp’s announcement Monday, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster relaxed some coronavirus-related restrictions in the state, allowing businesses including bookstores, department stores, flea markets, florists and music shops to reopen.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee also said Monday his stay-at-home order would expire on April 30 and businesses across the majority of the state would begin reopening as early as next week.
