Georgia Democrats, including the mayor, are calling on Gov. Brian Kemp to rescind his order to allow certain businesses to reopen over the next few days.
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said her legal department is looking into the governor's order because she has serious concerns about reopening.
"I have publicly expressed my concern about this reopening and continue to express my concern," Bottoms told the City Council in a teleconference on Facebook Thursday morning. "I feel we are not in a position yet which we begin to open up businesses in our city."
Channel 2′s Dave Huddleston learned that Bottoms is checking to see if there is anything she can do to push back on Kemp’s order.
Mayor @KeishaBottoms gives a #COVID19 update. We break it down and the impact on the city and her thoughts about it reopening Friday. @wsbtv at 5 pic.twitter.com/V4OhfSqPgi
— Dave Huddleston (@DaveHWSB) April 23, 2020
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"I have asked the law department to please take a look at the governor's order and they have provided some feedback on what we can do as a city," Bottoms said.
Bottoms said the legal department will provide some information Friday.
The mayor also mentioned that the task force she has to help her reopen the city that will meet Friday.
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Channel 2′s Richard Elliot said when it comes to the issue of reopening, most Georgia Democrats agree with Bottoms -- and surprisingly -- with President Trump.
"I told the governor of Georgia, Brian Kemp, that I disagree strongly with his decision to open certain facilities in violation of the phase one guidelines for the incredible people of Georgia," Trump said in a press conference Wednesday.
House Democratic Minority Leader Bob Trammell said the president is correct when he criticized Kemp for allowing some businesses to reopen as early Friday.
"I think the president said exactly what we said on Tuesday, which is it's too much, too soon," Trammell said. "It's too fast."
The governor's office had no comment Thursday, but Kemp did tweet Wednesday that he'd spoke to Trump earlier in the day and appreciated his "bold leadership." But he stuck to his plan to allow certain businesses like bowling alleys, hair salons and tattoo parlors to reopen.
Those guidelines include seeing a two-week decline in COVID-19 cases, something Georgia has not seen yet.
"Our next step is driven by data and guided by state public health officials," Kemp tweeted. "We will continue with this approach to protect the lives and livelihoods of all Georgians."
Kemp also tweeted information Thursday on what those certain businesses need to do to reopen safely, and information on new testing sites around Georgia.
The Georgia Board of Cosmetology and Barbers said salons should do temperature checks on employees and clients, screen clients by asking questions including if they have had a cough or fever and that employees should wear face masks and encourage clients to do so as well.
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