CORONAVIRUS IN GEORGIA: Shelter in place to end April 30

ATLANTA — Here’s a roundup of what’s happening so far today, April 20: (Click here for the previous day)

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• There are now 19,399 confirmed cases of coronavirus with 775 deaths in Georgia, according to new data released Monday at 7 p.m. That’s 86 new deaths. At least 3,489 cases have required hospitalization. This is all according to data from the Georgia Department of Public Health.
• Gov. Brian Kemp held a news conference Monday afternoon where he addressed plans to reopen the state.
• Kemp said gyms, bowling alleys, hair salons, barber shops, nail salons and other similar businesses can reopen statewide on Friday.
• The governor said he is allowing elective surgeries to take place again.
• Some restaurants, theaters will be able to reopen with strict social distancing guidelines.
• Kemp said he will let the statewide shelter-in-place order expire on April 30. The elderly and medically fragile patients have to shelter-in-place until May 13.
• Houses of worship will be allowed to hold in-person services but within the social distancing guidelines.
• Kemp said the Department of Public Health is starting to see a flattening of coronavirus cases and a decline of people being hospitalized for the virus.
• Kemp said the state has partnered with the state university system to ramp up more testing. Announced app to help start the screening process if you believe you have coronavirus.
• You will be able to see status of your tests within 72 hours.
• Kemp said he is deploying 10 new strike teams to help in hot spots across the state.
• The Atlanta City Council has approved $7 million in pandemic support funding. The money helps secure children’s food programs, senior food programs, homeless preparedness and response and more.
• City Council also passed a resolution urging everyone in City of Atlanta to wear masks while working, shopping, going to restaurants or other essential businesses.
• MARTA is suspending over 60 bus routes starting Monday morning.
• Atlanta Public Schools shut down two of its food distribution after workers tested positive for COVID-19. These are the changes the district is making starting today.
• Today the Atlanta City Council is expected to vote on a 60-day plan to remove homeless people sleeping inside the airport. Leaders say they have a 5-step plan.
• Nursing homes will now be required to tell patients and their families about any COVID-19 cases. Facilities must report cases directly to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines is facing a class-action lawsuit. A customer filed the lawsuit Friday claiming Delta refused to give refunds for canceled flights.
• Facebook is inviting small businesses to apply for one of 56 grants available to businesses in metro Atlanta.
• The Kia Motors plant in West Point announced Monday it has started producing face shields for medical workers.

Skywriters paint hearts over Atlanta in support of healthcare workers An amazing sight over downtown Atlanta Friday night.

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