ATLANTA — Here’s a roundup of what’s happening so far today, April 20: (Click here for the previous day)
Watch Channel 2 Action News for LIVE hour-by-hour updates. Get extended coverage on the free WSB Now app on your Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV.
- 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.
© 2020 Cox Media Group
