Gov. Kemp lifts more COVID-19 restrictions for restaurants, conventions and concert venues

ATLANTA — Governor Brian Kemp lifted widespread restrictions in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on Thursday, reopening even more venues and lifting the shelter in place orders for people over 65-years-old.

The shelter in place order ends effectively immediately for any residents or visitors to Georgia who are over 65 years old unless they are in a nursing home, in a long term care facility or have health issues.

Also lifted in the executive order:

• Gatherings of 50 people are now allowed if people are at least six feet apart.
• There is no longer a maximum of people who can dine together in restaurants as one party. Workers in restaurants now only need to wear face coverings when interactive with customers.
• Bars can now hold up to 50 people or 35 percent of their capacity, whichever is greater.
• Salad bars and buffets can resume with cafeteria style service where a restaurant worker serves customers.
• Overnight summer camps can resume only if campers and workers have tested negative for COVID-19 within the last 12 days.
• Conventions can resume if they meet 21 specific requirements.
• Live performance venues may reopen on July 1 if they comply with extensive state criteria and a long list of restrictions on the venue.
• There is no longer a limit on the number of people who can sit together in one party at a movie theater.
• Walk-ins are now allowed at barbershops, hair salons, massage therapy centers and body art studios.
• Professional sports teams can meet but must follow rules set up by their respective league. High Schools and collegiate teams must meet any guidelines set by their athletic conferences. Amateur sports teams and organizations must follow any criteria set by the state for non-critical businesses.

The governor’s emergency order goes into effect on June 16 at midnight and runs through June 30, but could be extended.

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