Editing COVID-19 pandemic in Georgia (U.S. state)

{{Short description|Ongoing COVID-19 viral pandemic in Georgia, United States}}
{{About|cases within the American state of Georgia|the country of Georgia|COVID-19 pandemic in Georgia (country)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox pandemic
| name            = COVID-19 pandemic in Georgia
| virus_strain    = [[SARS-CoV-2]]
| map1            = COVID-19 rolling 14day Prevalence in Georgia by county.svg
| legend1         = {{COVID-19 pandemic in the United States new cases prevalence legend|state=Georgia}}
| map2            = COVID-19 Prevalence in Georgia by county.svg
| legend2         = {{COVID-19 pandemic in the United States prevalence legend|state=Georgia}}
| location        = [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], U.S.
| first_case      = [[Atlanta]]
| disease         = [[COVID-19]]
| arrival_date    = March 2, 2020 ({{Age in years, months, weeks and days|month1=03|day1=02|year1=2020|month2=|day2=|year2=}} ago)
| confirmed_cases = 868,163 ({{As of|2021|04|17|df=US|lc=y}})
| source          = <!-- Animal or other reservoir -->
<!--| active_cases =-->
<!--| suspected_cases =-->| severe_cases    = 
| deaths          = 17,214
| website         = {{URL|https://dph.georgia.gov/covid-19-daily-status-report}}
| hospitalized_cases = 60,403 (cumulative)
}}
{{COVID-19 pandemic sidebar}}
The [[COVID-19 pandemic]] was first detected in the U.S. state of [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] on March&nbsp;2, 2020. The state's first death came ten days later on March 12. {{As of|2021|04|17|df=US}}, there were 868,163 confirmed cases, 60,403 hospitalizations, and 17,214 deaths.<ref name="ga-doph-daily">{{cite web |title=Georgia Department of Public Health COVID-19 Daily Status Report |url=https://dph.georgia.gov/covid-19-daily-status-report |publisher=Georgia Department of Public Health |access-date=April 17, 2021 |archive-date=June 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605120521/https://dph.georgia.gov/covid-19-daily-status-report |url-status=live }}</ref>  All of [[List of counties in Georgia|Georgia's 159 counties]] now report COVID-19 cases, with Gwinnett County reporting over 85,000 cases and the next three counties (Fulton, Cobb and DeKalb) now reporting over 56,000 cases each.<ref name="ga-doph-daily" />  As of October 23, 2020, forty-five Georgia counties have higher per capita COVID-19 case rates than New York City.<ref name="ga-doph-daily" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=COVID-19: Data - NYC Health|url=https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-data.page|website=www1.nyc.gov|access-date=2020-05-10|archive-date=April 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401235417/https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-data.page|url-status=live}}</ref>

The city of [[Albany, Georgia|Albany]] became a major hot spot within the state with one of the highest densities of [[COVID-19]] infections in the world based on the size of its population.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-04-08/in-southwest-georgia-a-small-hospital-battles-one-of-the-worlds-most-intense-coronavirus-outbreaks|title=A small Georgia hospital battles one of the nation's most intense coronavirus outbreaks|date=April 8, 2020|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|access-date=April 9, 2020|archive-date=May 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200530160935/https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-04-08/in-southwest-georgia-a-small-hospital-battles-one-of-the-worlds-most-intense-coronavirus-outbreaks|url-status=live}}</ref> With approximately 75,000 residents, there have been 973 confirmed cases and 56 deaths at [[Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital]]<ref name="dupree-ajc-albany-03-21-2020">{{cite web |last1=Dupree |first1=Jamie |title=Albany becomes unlikely Coronavirus hot spot in Georgia |url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/jamie-dupree/albany-becomes-unlikely-coronavirus-hot-spot-georgia/awWuEilTxM3NYlX3hhiZXN/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 21, 2020 |date=March 21, 2020 |archive-date=April 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404031844/https://www.ajc.com/blog/jamie-dupree/albany-becomes-unlikely-coronavirus-hot-spot-georgia/awWuEilTxM3NYlX3hhiZXN/ |url-status=live }}</ref> in Albany, with many more still awaiting test results, quarantined inside their homes {{As of|2020|04|08|df=US|lc=y}}.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-hotspot-albany-georgia-funderals-covid-19-cases-per-capita-2020-4|title=How a small Georgia city far from New York became one of the worst coronavirus hotspots in the country|last=Rapier|first=Graham|website=Business Insider|access-date=April 9, 2020|archive-date=June 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200602012907/https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-hotspot-albany-georgia-funderals-covid-19-cases-per-capita-2020-4|url-status=live}}</ref> The hospital also received media attention after CEO Scott Steiner said they had exhausted their entire six-month stockpile of medical supplies intended for COVID-19 response in just six days due to the extent of the outbreak.<ref name="klar-hill-putney" /> As the hospital rushed to meet supply demands for [[Personal protective equipment|PPE]], they experienced [[price gouging]] and received defective equipment from [[black market]] medical suppliers in Mexico,<ref name=":0" /><ref name="klar-hill-putney">{{cite web |last1=Klar |first1=Rebecca |title=Hospital CEO: $7 being charged for 58-cent masks |url=https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/488408-hospital-ceo-7-being-charged-for-58-cent-masks |newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |access-date=March 20, 2020 |date=March 19, 2020 |archive-date=May 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200514013054/https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/488408-hospital-ceo-7-being-charged-for-58-cent-masks |url-status=live }}</ref> which resulted in a plan for staff workers to manually sew respiratory masks.<ref name="spocchia-independent">{{cite news |last1=Spocchia |first1=Gino |title=Coronavirus: US hospital uses five months' worth of supplies in six days as shortages hit |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/coronavirus-us-hospital-georgia-shortages-healthcare-a9406411.html |newspaper=The Independent |access-date=March 20, 2020 |date=March 18, 2020 |archive-date=March 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327214124/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/coronavirus-us-hospital-georgia-shortages-healthcare-a9406411.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In response, Albany and surrounding [[Dougherty County]] declared a shelter-in-place order<ref name="dougherty-order">{{cite web |title=An Ordinance for the Second Declaration of a Local State of Emergency Related to Covid-19; and For Other Purposes |url=http://www.dougherty.ga.us/filestorage/1800/379008/379614/DOCOadvisory_ShelterInPlace_032020.pdf |publisher=Dougherty County, Georgia |access-date=March 24, 2020 |date=March 20, 2020 |archive-date=April 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409173031/http://www.dougherty.ga.us/filestorage/1800/379008/379614/DOCOadvisory_ShelterInPlace_032020.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> lasting two weeks on March 20.<ref name="dupree-ajc-albany-03-21-2020"/>

Governor [[Brian Kemp]] declared an "unprecedented" [[Public health emergency (United States)|public health emergency]] on March&nbsp;14<ref name="ajc-emergency-13">{{cite web |last1=Redmon |first1=Jeremy |last2=Bluestein |first2=Greg |title=Georgia to declare public health emergency amid coronavirus outbreak |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/breaking-news/georgia-declare-public-health-emergency-amid-coronavirus-outbreak/SqEkO2vO6l3Lo9RIrsgrRL/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 14, 2020 |date=March 13, 2020 |archive-date=April 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200413010017/https://www.ajc.com/news/breaking-news/georgia-declare-public-health-emergency-amid-coronavirus-outbreak/SqEkO2vO6l3Lo9RIrsgrRL/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="ajc-pub-emer">{{cite web |last1=Bluestein |first1=Greg |title=UPDATE: Kemp declares public health emergency; 66 coronavirus cases in Ga. |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/kemp-declares-unprecedented-public-health-emergency-georgia/gdTeQfD6zJPb1kbYlRLHRO/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 14, 2020 |date=March 14, 2020 |archive-date=June 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620070631/https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/kemp-declares-unprecedented-public-health-emergency-georgia/gdTeQfD6zJPb1kbYlRLHRO/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and ordered on March&nbsp;16 that all public schools, colleges, and universities in the state close from March 18 through the start of April.<ref name="kemp-k12-closed-ajc">{{cite web |last1=Bluestein |first1=Greg |title=Kemp orders public K-12 schools, colleges in Georgia closed through end of March |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/kemp-orders-all-public-schools-georgia-closed-through-end-march/Alpzcxpd6xN8f2TGySOyzM/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 18, 2020 |date=March 16, 2020 |archive-date=May 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200511145842/https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/kemp-orders-all-public-schools-georgia-closed-through-end-march/Alpzcxpd6xN8f2TGySOyzM/ |url-status=live }}</ref> COVID-19 was first detected in a prison inmate on March 20.<ref name="prison-covid-positive-03-20"/> On March&nbsp;23, gatherings of over 10 people were banned, bars and nightclubs were ordered to close, and a shelter-in-place order for the "medically fragile" was issued.<ref name="kemp-ban-mar-23">{{cite web |last1=Bluestein |first1=Greg |title=Breaking: Kemp bans many gatherings, orders shelter in place for 'medically fragile' in Georgia |url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/politics/breaking-kemp-bans-many-large-gatherings-orders-shelter-place-for-medically-fragile/LRp3MUBsORkUJjjaoBZZYK/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 24, 2020 |date=March 23, 2020 |archive-date=April 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403230110/https://www.ajc.com/blog/politics/breaking-kemp-bans-many-large-gatherings-orders-shelter-place-for-medically-fragile/LRp3MUBsORkUJjjaoBZZYK/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On April 2, a statewide shelter in place order was announced.<ref name="Judd">{{cite web |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/one-month-after-warnings-kemp-puts-georgia-lockdown/db6Aodv3LzftEV89WA1EOI/ |title=One month after warnings, Kemp puts Georgia on lockdown |last=Judd |first=Alan |date=April 2, 2020 |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=April 3, 2020 |archive-date=May 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523083044/https://www.ajc.com/news/one-month-after-warnings-kemp-puts-georgia-lockdown/db6Aodv3LzftEV89WA1EOI/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On March 23, [[Atlanta]] mayor [[Keisha Lance Bottoms]] signed a 14-day [[stay-at-home order]] to direct all city residents to stay at home except for performing essential tasks through April 7.<ref name="atlanta-order-2020-21">{{cite web |title=Executive Order Number 2020-21 by the Mayor |url=https://www.atlantaga.gov/Home/ShowDocument?id=45508 |publisher=City of Atlanta |access-date=March 24, 2020 |archive-date=March 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326102651/https://www.atlantaga.gov/Home/ShowDocument?id=45508 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="ajc-hansen-order-23">{{cite web |last1=Hansen |first1=Zachary |title=Atlanta Mayor signs 14-day stay-at-home order due to coronavirus pandemic |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/breaking-news/breaking-atlanta-mayor-signs-day-stay-home-order-due-coronavirus-pandemic/HpYoORZDNNqdIWc3QfKWwK/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 24, 2020 |date=March 23, 2020 |archive-date=May 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527151429/https://www.ajc.com/news/breaking-news/breaking-atlanta-mayor-signs-day-stay-home-order-due-coronavirus-pandemic/HpYoORZDNNqdIWc3QfKWwK/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This followed a city-wide state of emergency on March&nbsp;15 prohibiting "large public gatherings of more than 250 people"<ref name="habersham-ajc-bottoms-emergency">{{cite web |last1=Habersham |first1=Raisa |title=UPDATE: Atlanta mayor declares state of emergency in city |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/breaking-news/breaking-atlanta-mayor-declares-state-emergency-city/CwOtpFsoJBChRcaPfglM6J/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 16, 2020 |date=March 15, 2020 |archive-date=March 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329105018/https://www.ajc.com/news/breaking-news/breaking-atlanta-mayor-declares-state-emergency-city/CwOtpFsoJBChRcaPfglM6J/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and a March&nbsp;20 order for businesses to close.<ref name="ajc-deere-quinn">{{cite web |last1=Deere |first1=Stephen |last2=Quinn |first2=Christopher |title=Atlanta mayor closes restaurants to inside dining |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/breaking-news/atlanta-mayor-closes-restaurants-clubs-various-other-gathering-spots/gHQ32g3PPLEIY9mAq8VmLM/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 19, 2020 |date=March 19, 2020 |archive-date=April 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414232005/https://www.ajc.com/news/breaking-news/atlanta-mayor-closes-restaurants-clubs-various-other-gathering-spots/gHQ32g3PPLEIY9mAq8VmLM/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The city of [[South Fulton, Georgia|South Fulton]] instituted a [[curfew]] on March&nbsp;17, requiring residents to stay at home from 6:00 PM to 7:00 AM (with work and medical exceptions) and barring gatherings of more than ten people.<ref name="ajc-brasch-03-18-2020">{{cite web |last1=Brasch |first1=Ben |title=South Fulton under COVID-19 curfew; 5 council members self-quarantine |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/local/south-fulton-under-covid-curfew-council-members-self-quarantine/8p04N6v98HRF0l01cKucZM/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 19, 2020 |date=March 18, 2020 |archive-date=March 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319152741/https://www.ajc.com/news/local/south-fulton-under-covid-curfew-council-members-self-quarantine/8p04N6v98HRF0l01cKucZM/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On March&nbsp;23, DeKalb County enacted a "voluntary curfew".<ref name="ajc-dekalb-estep">{{cite web |last1=Estep |first1=Tyler |title=DeKalb puts restrictions on businesses, gatherings |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/local/dekalb-puts-restrictions-businesses-gatherings/8xXdjjMmYIZSez27orXJ4K/?ecmp=dekalb |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 24, 2020 |date=March 23, 2020 |archive-date=April 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404031028/https://www.ajc.com/news/local/dekalb-puts-restrictions-businesses-gatherings/8xXdjjMmYIZSez27orXJ4K/?ecmp=dekalb&utm_medium=social&utm_source=dekalb_tw |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Savannah, Georgia|Savannah]] issued a shelter-in-place order on March&nbsp;24.<ref name="smn-shelter-24">{{cite web |last1=Dennis |first1=Zach |last2=Robertson |first2=Nick |title=Savannah mayor issues mandatory shelter-in-place order, effective Tuesday night |url=https://www.savannahnow.com/news/20200324/savannah-mayor-issues-mandatory-shelter-in-place-order-effective-tuesday-night |publisher=Savannah Morning News |access-date=March 29, 2020 |date=March 24, 2020 |archive-date=April 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424215104/https://www.savannahnow.com/news/20200324/savannah-mayor-issues-mandatory-shelter-in-place-order-effective-tuesday-night |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{As of|2020|10|21|df=US}}, Georgia has the sixth-highest number of confirmed cases in the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|United States]], and the sixth-highest number of confirmed cases per capita. It has the tenth-highest count of deaths related to the virus, and fourteenth-highest count per capita.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S.|url=https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html|access-date=September 25, 2020|publisher=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|language=en-us|archive-date=March 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302155159/https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=ArcGIS Dashboards|url=https://www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6|access-date=September 25, 2020|archive-date=May 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200521210545/https://www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6|publisher=Johns Hopkins University|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Coronavirus (COVID-19) U.S. Deaths|url=https://www.realclearpolitics.com/coronavirus/country/united-states/|publisher=RealClearPolitics|access-date=September 25, 2020|archive-date=September 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200905124946/https://www.realclearpolitics.com/coronavirus/country/united-states/|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{as of|2021|9|2|df=US}}, Georgia has administered 9,882,512 COVID-19 vaccine doses, and has fully vaccinated 4,444,517 people, equivalent to 42.72 percent of the population.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Georgia - COVID-19 Overview - Johns Hopkins|url=https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/region/us/georgia|access-date=2021-05-28|website=Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center}}</ref>

==Timeline==
{{Stack|clear=right|{{COVID-19 pandemic data/United States/Georgia medical cases chart}}}}

===February to March 2020===
On February 29 and March 7, about 20 people contracted the virus at funerals in the same funeral home in [[Albany, Georgia|Albany]]. The state health department notified the funeral home about potential exposure to the virus on March 13. The city went on to lead the state in COVID-19 deaths and to have one of the highest infection rates in the country, with the outbreak linked to the funerals.<ref name=Schrade>{{cite news |last1=Schrade |first1=Brad |last2=Edwards |first2=Johnny |title=City under siege: Coronavirus exacts heavy toll in Albany |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional/city-under-seige-coronavirus-exacts-heavy-toll-albany/xC9NO677gfDQSaGEQDXSAN/ |access-date=April 17, 2020 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=March 27, 2020 |archive-date=June 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603103844/https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional/city-under-seige-coronavirus-exacts-heavy-toll-albany/xC9NO677gfDQSaGEQDXSAN/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Chavez |first1=Nicole |last2=Barajas |first2=Angela |last3=Gallagher |first3=Dianne |title=How two funerals helped turn one small Georgia city into a hotspot for coronavirus |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/02/us/albany-georgia-coronavirus/index.html |access-date=April 17, 2020 |work=CNN |date=April 3, 2020 |archive-date=May 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513165710/https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/02/us/albany-georgia-coronavirus/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Willis |first1=Haisten |last2=Williams |first2=Vanessa |title=A funeral is thought to have sparked a covid-19 outbreak in Albany, Ga. — and led to many more funerals |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/a-funeral-sparked-a-covid-19-outbreak--and-led-to-many-more-funerals/2020/04/03/546fa0cc-74e6-11ea-87da-77a8136c1a6d_story.html |access-date=April 17, 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=April 4, 2020 |archive-date=May 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523171938/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/a-funeral-sparked-a-covid-19-outbreak--and-led-to-many-more-funerals/2020/04/03/546fa0cc-74e6-11ea-87da-77a8136c1a6d_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On March 2, state officials announced the first two known cases in Georgia: a [[Fulton County, Georgia|Fulton County]] man in his 50s and his teenage son who had returned on February 22 from a trip to [[Milan, Italy]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/first-cases-coronavirus-confirmed-georgia/4P22YK37OBF2ZIC5VY2YOX7KDE |title=Two cases of coronavirus confirmed in metro Atlanta |date=March 2, 2020 |work=wsbtv |access-date=March 2, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303032620/https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/first-cases-coronavirus-confirmed-georgia/4P22YK37OBF2ZIC5VY2YOX7KDE/ |archive-date=March 3, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=March 3, 2020|access-date=March 3, 2020|title=Fulton County coronavirus cases are 56-year-old dad, 15-year-old son, officials say|last=Raymond|first=Jonathan|url=https://www.11alive.com/article/news/health/fulton-county-coronavirus-cases/85-9f552f0f-5d2f-4043-9b7c-738d914b8d1a|work=[[WXIA-TV|11 Alive]]|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150744/https://www.11alive.com/article/news/health/fulton-county-coronavirus-cases/85-9f552f0f-5d2f-4043-9b7c-738d914b8d1a|url-status=live}}</ref>

On March 6, public health officials reported a presumptive positive case involving a 46-year-old woman in [[Floyd County, Georgia|Floyd County]] that appeared unrelated to international travel.<ref>{{cite web|date=March 6, 2020|access-date=March 6, 2020|title=Floyd County Woman Preliminarily Tests Positive For Coronavirus|last=Gantt|first=Taylor|work=[[Georgia Public Broadcasting]]|url=https://www.gpbnews.org/post/floyd-county-woman-preliminarily-tests-positive-coronavirus|archive-date=April 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411113651/https://www.gpbnews.org/post/floyd-county-woman-preliminarily-tests-positive-coronavirus|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=March 6, 2020|access-date=March 6, 2020|title=Floyd County hospital reports preliminary case of coronavirus|last=Prince|first=Chelsea|work=[[The Atlanta Journal Constitution]]|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/breaking-news/breaking-floyd-county-hospital-reports-preliminary-case-coronavirus/jdJ51FpSCJGJk4gibQEg6M/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200307142633/https://www.ajc.com/news/breaking-news/breaking-floyd-county-hospital-reports-preliminary-case-coronavirus/jdJ51FpSCJGJk4gibQEg6M/|archive-date=March 7, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

On March 8, Governor [[Brian Kemp]] announced that a number of Americans on the cruise ship ''[[Grand Princess]]'' — including 34 Georgians — would be "securely transferred" to [[Dobbins Air Reserve Base]] for testing and quarantine on March 9 or 10. That night, Kemp said four currently hospitalized Georgians had been tested for COVID-19, with the [[Georgia Department of Public Health]] waiting for confirmation from the CDC; one person was a resident of [[Cherokee County, Georgia|Cherokee County]], two were residents of [[Cobb County]], and one a resident of Fulton County.<ref name="ajc-burns-2020-03-09">{{cite web |last1=Burns |first1=Asia Simone |title=[Four] more possible coronavirus cases as Ga. set to quarantine cruise passengers |url=https://www.ajc.com/lifestyles/breaking-grand-princess-cruise-passengers-quarantined-cobb/CMqI7xKAiWbAAnkEs3E1jL/ |publisher=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]] |access-date=March 9, 2020 |date=March 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200309033255/https://www.ajc.com/lifestyles/breaking-grand-princess-cruise-passengers-quarantined-cobb/CMqI7xKAiWbAAnkEs3E1jL/ |archive-date=March 9, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Additional Presumed Positive Cases of COVID-19 in Georgia |url=https://dph.georgia.gov/press-releases/2020-03-08/additional-presumed-positive-cases-covid-19-georgia |publisher=Georgia Department of Public Health |access-date=March 9, 2020 |date=March 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200309183633/https://dph.georgia.gov/press-releases/2020-03-08/additional-presumed-positive-cases-covid-19-georgia |archive-date=March 9, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On March 10, the Department of Public Health reported five additional cases, bringing the state total to 22. The majority of cases were in Cobb County (7 cases) and Fulton County (6 cases).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dph.georgia.gov/press-releases/2020-03-10/five-new-presumptive-positive-covid-19-cases-georgia|title=Five New Presumptive Positive COVID-19 Cases in Georgia|website=Georgia Department of Public Health|language=en|access-date=March 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312132928/https://dph.georgia.gov/press-releases/2020-03-10/five-new-presumptive-positive-covid-19-cases-georgia|archive-date=March 12, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> On March 11, the state announced nine more cases, making the total 31 presumed, with twelve confirmed.<ref name="ajc-03-11-2020-bluestein">{{cite web |last1=Bluestein |first1=Greg |title=Georgia now has 31 presumed and confirmed cases of coronavirus |url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/politics/georgia-now-has-presumed-and-confirmed-cases-coronavirus/COVj8oSFuTa1RanBKrDY1L/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 12, 2020 |date=March 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312064305/https://www.ajc.com/blog/politics/georgia-now-has-presumed-and-confirmed-cases-coronavirus/COVj8oSFuTa1RanBKrDY1L/ |archive-date=March 12, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On March 12, the Governor's office reported the first death in the state of Georgia related to the pandemic — the 67-year-old man who had underlying health conditions.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/coronavirus-outbreak-03-12-20-intl-hnk/h_1df1e002c78d812fa27b863c15830ecc|title=US death toll in coronavirus outbreak climbs to 39|website=CNN|access-date=March 13, 2020|archive-date=March 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323125353/https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/coronavirus-outbreak-03-12-20-intl-hnk/h_1df1e002c78d812fa27b863c15830ecc|url-status=live}}</ref> He had attended the funeral held in Albany on February 29.<ref name=Schrade/> A dining facility worker at [[Moody Air Force Base]], near [[Valdosta, Georgia|Valdosta]], tested positive for the virus, prompting the temporary closure of the facility for cleaning.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.walb.com/2020/03/12/moody-afb-announces-coronavirus-case/|title=Moody AFB announces Coronavirus case|website=WALB|access-date=March 13, 2020|archive-date=May 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200510043628/https://www.walb.com/2020/03/12/moody-afb-announces-coronavirus-case/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On March 15, Atlanta mayor, [[Keisha Lance Bottoms]], declared a state of emergency in the city, and banned public gatherings of more than 250 people.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atlanta-mayor-declares-state-emergency-bans-crowds-over-250-people/SHH3KYSNHZDYZLYJXSAEAUINBM/|title=Atlanta mayor declares state of emergency, bans crowds over 250 people|author=WSBTV com News Staff|website=WSBTV|date=March 16, 2020 |language=en-US|access-date=March 16, 2020|archive-date=May 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523154526/https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atlanta-mayor-declares-state-emergency-bans-crowds-over-250-people/SHH3KYSNHZDYZLYJXSAEAUINBM/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On March 16, the [[Georgia State Defense Force]] was activated to provide COVID-19 defense support to civil authorities.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/384748/georgia-department-defense-celebrates-384th-national-guard-birthday-with-awards |title=Georgia Department of Defense celebrates 384th National Guard birthday with awards |last=Matthews |first=Isaiah |date=10 December 2020 |website= |publisher=[[Defense Visual Information Distribution Service]] |access-date=29 April 2021 |quote=}}</ref>

On March 24, Governor Brian Kemp ordered all bars and clubs to close.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mdjonline.com/georgia-governor-orders-bars-clubs-closed-amid-coronavirus/article_87865c94-6d52-11ea-a5e4-03e1378b7373.html|title=Georgia governor orders bars, clubs closed amid coronavirus|author=AP WireStaff|website=Marietta Daily Journal|language=en-US|access-date=March 16, 2020|archive-date=May 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526034755/https://www.mdjonline.com/georgia-governor-orders-bars-clubs-closed-amid-coronavirus/article_87865c94-6d52-11ea-a5e4-03e1378b7373.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== April to June 2020 ===

[[File: Empty paper towel shelves, CVS, Valdosta.jpg|thumb|An empty aisle of shelving after widespread [[panic buying]] of paper towels at a [[CVS Pharmacy|CVS]] in Valdosta]]

On April 1, 2020, Governor Kemp ordered that all K-12 schools close through the end of the 2019–20 academic year.<ref name=aprilschoolclosures/> On April 2, Kemp issued a statewide shelter in place order, saying he had just learned "within the last 24 hours" that [[asymptomatic carrier]]s could transmit the disease even if they were not exhibiting symptoms. However, documents show that state officials were warned about so-called community transmission as early as March 2.<ref name="Judd"/>

Governor Kemp issued an order effective April 3 suspending local shelter-in-place mandates, reopening beaches so long as people stay six feet apart.<ref>{{cite news |last=Deese |first=Kaelan |date=April 4, 2020 |title=4 Georgia beaches reopen after governor's executive order |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/news/491157-georgia-beaches-reopen-after-governors-executive-order |url-status=live |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |location= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409173031/https://thehill.com/homenews/news/491157-georgia-beaches-reopen-after-governors-executive-order |archive-date=April 9, 2020 |access-date=April 6, 2020}}</ref>

On April 8, Governor Kemp extended the statewide shelter in place order through the end of April.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/politics/breaking-kemp-extends-shelter-place-order-georgia-through-april/TsMutJJldcp9FTb3QTD00J/|title=Kemp extends shelter in place order in Georgia through April|first=Greg|last=Bluestein|website=ajc|access-date=April 8, 2020|archive-date=April 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417081612/https://www.ajc.com/blog/politics/breaking-kemp-extends-shelter-place-order-georgia-through-april/TsMutJJldcp9FTb3QTD00J/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On April 17, four [[Tyson Foods]] employees died of COVID-19 in [[Camilla, Georgia]], and an undisclosed number were infected.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=April 17, 2020 |title=4 Georgia poultry workers dead from coronavirus, company says |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/4-georgia-poultry-workers-dead-coronavirus-company-says-n1186326 |url-status=dead |work=[[NBC News]] |location=[[Savannah, Georgia]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225032341/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/4-georgia-poultry-workers-dead-coronavirus-company-says-n1186326 |archive-date=December 25, 2020 |access-date=January 31, 2021 }}</ref>

From June 17–27, the [[YMCA]]’s Camp High Harbor on [[Lake Burton (Georgia)|Lake Burton]] in [[Rabun County, Georgia|Rabun County]] held an orientation and a camp session for 597 Georgia residents. On June 24, a teenage counselor tested positive and the camp started sending campers home, shutting down the camp on June 27. Of the 344 people tested,  260 (44%) were positive for COVID-19.<ref>{{cite news |author=WSBTV.com News Staff |date=July 31, 2020 |title=Hundreds of Georgia campers infected with coronavirus at YMCA camp in just days, CDC report finds |url=https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/hundreds-georgia-campers-infected-with-coronavirus-ymca-summer-camp-cdc-report-finds/EL5FFTVSDVETRGROPEXK6CIZNM/ |url-status=live |work=[[WSB-TV]] |location=[[Rabun County, Georgia]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731221111/https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/hundreds-georgia-campers-infected-with-coronavirus-ymca-summer-camp-cdc-report-finds/EL5FFTVSDVETRGROPEXK6CIZNM/ |archive-date=July 31, 2020 |access-date=August 1, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite report |author=Christine M. Szablewski, DVM |author2=Karen T. Chang, PhD |author3=Marie M. Brown, MPH |author4=Victoria T. Chu, MD |author5=Anna R. Yousaf, MD |author6=Ndubuisi Anyalechi, MD |author7=Peter A. Aryee, MBA |author8=Hannah L. Kirking, MD |author9=Maranda Lumsden |author10=Erin Mayweather |author11=Clinton J. McDaniel, MPH |author12=Robert Montierth, PharmD |author13=Asfia Mohammed |author14=Noah G. Schwartz, MD |author15=Jaina A. Shah |author16=Jacqueline E. Tate, PhD |author17=Emilio Dirlikov, PhD |author18=Cherie Drenzek, DVM |author19=Tatiana M. Lanzieri, MD |author20=Rebekah J. Stewart, MSN, MPH |date=July 31, 2020 |title=SARS-CoV-2 Transmission and Infection Among Attendees of an Overnight Camp — Georgia, June 2020 |url=https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6931e1.htm?s_cid=mm6931e1_w |publisher=[[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] |access-date=August 1, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731170819/https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6931e1.htm?s_cid=mm6931e1_w |archive-date=July 31, 2020 |quote=The overall attack rate was 44% (260 of 597), 51% among those aged 6–10 years, 44% among those aged 11–17 years, and 33% among those aged 18–21 years. Attack rates presented are likely an underestimate because cases might have been missed among persons not tested or whose test results were not reported}}</ref>

=== July 2020 to present===

By July 20, there were COVID-19 outbreaks at several [[nursing home]]s and senior care facilities in northwest Georgia. Across eleven facilities, there were 248 infected residents, 130 infected staff members, and 32 deaths.<ref>{{cite news |last=Parker |first=Collins |date=July 20, 2020 |title=Dalton Nursing Home leads latest Covid-19 outbreak in northwest Georgia |url=https://wdef.com/2020/07/20/dalton-nursing-home-leads-latest-covid-19-outbreak-northwest-georgia/ |url-status=live |work=wdef.com |location=DALTON, Georgia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724182729/https://wdef.com/2020/07/20/dalton-nursing-home-leads-latest-covid-19-outbreak-northwest-georgia/ |archive-date=July 24, 2020 |access-date=August 1, 2020 }}</ref>

On August 6, a photo and a video of a crowded hallway at [[North Paulding High School]] was posted to social media, highlighting a lack of [[social distancing]] and low rate of [[Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|face mask usage]] at the school. Two students received suspensions that were later reversed.<ref>{{cite news |last=Strapagiel |first=Lauren |date=August 6, 2020 |title=Two Students Say They Were Suspended From Their Georgia High School For Posting Photos Of Crowded Hallways |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/laurenstrapagiel/north-paulding-high-school-suspensions-for-hallway-photos |url-status=live |work=[[BuzzFeed News]] |location= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105153229/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/laurenstrapagiel/north-paulding-high-school-suspensions-for-hallway-photos |archive-date=January 5, 2021 |access-date=January 31, 2021}}</ref> On August 10, after one week of resuming in-person classes, six students and three faculty tested positive for COVID-19 at that same school, causing it to close.<ref>{{cite news |last=Booker |first=Brakkton |date=August 10, 2020 |title=9 Test Positive For Coronavirus After In-Person Classes Resume At Georgia High School |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/08/10/900846570/georgia-high-school-temporarily-switches-to-virtual-learning-after-9-positive-te |work=[[NPR]] |location= |access-date=January 31, 2021}}</ref> On August 10, [[Cherokee County School District (Georgia)|Cherokee County School District]] sent more than 250 students and faculty home to quarantine after eleven students and two faculty members tested positive for COVID-19. The students ranged from first grade to twelfth grade.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stanglin |first1=Doug |last2=Shannon |first2=Joel |date=August 10, 2020 |title=250 students and staff asked to quarantine in Georgia district after one week of school |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2020/08/08/hundreds-students-staff-quarantine-georgia-school-district-cherokee/3327173001/ |url-status=live |work=[[USA Today]] |location= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007101645/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2020/08/08/hundreds-students-staff-quarantine-georgia-school-district-cherokee/3327173001/ |archive-date=October 7, 2020 |access-date=February 1, 2021}}</ref>

On August 12, Georgia reported its highest single-day death toll since start of the pandemic, at 122 deaths.<ref>{{cite news |date=August 12, 2020 |title=Florida and Georgia report highest single-day death tolls since start of coronavirus pandemic |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/08/11/coronavirus-covid-live-updates-us/ |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |location=Georgia |access-date=August 13, 2020 |archive-date=January 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150819/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/08/11/coronavirus-covid-live-updates-us/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On August 25, [[Georgia Tech]] had a total of 302 cases since March. A fraternity with 25 cases was quarantined.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-08-25|title=Georgia Tech quarantines fraternity, reports 51 new cases of COVID-19|url=https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/national-news/georgia-tech-quarantines-fraternity-reports-51-new-cases-of-covid-19/|access-date=2020-09-11|website=KTVE - myarklamiss.com|language=en-US|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150746/https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/national-news/georgia-tech-quarantines-fraternity-reports-51-new-cases-of-covid-19/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On September 11, 10% of on-campus students at [[Georgia College & State University|Georgia College and State University]] had tested positive since the beginning of August, for a total of 645 cases. Students were being housed in double rooms, against guidance from the [[American College Health Association]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Burke|first=Lilah|date=2020-09-11|title=10 percent of students at Georgia College have had COVID-19|url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2020/09/11/10-percent-students-georgia-college-have-had-covid-19|access-date=2020-09-11|website=Inside Higher Ed|language=en|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150735/https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2020/09/11/10-percent-students-georgia-college-have-had-covid-19|url-status=live}}</ref>

On October 16, many attendees at a 7,000 person campaign rally for President Trump in [[Macon, Georgia|Macon]] did not wear masks. A digital billboard nearby displayed the words "Trump COVID Superspreader event."<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web|title='Trump COVID Superspreader Event' billboard appears before another MAGA rally|url=https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/trump-covid-superspreader-event-billboard-appears-before-macon-maga-rally/93-65a11d61-4f4a-4590-b879-8c499914c2bf|access-date=2020-10-31|website=wtsp.com|date=October 15, 2020 |language=en-US|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150741/https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/trump-covid-superspreader-event-billboard-appears-before-macon-maga-rally/93-65a11d61-4f4a-4590-b879-8c499914c2bf|url-status=live}}</ref>

On October 30, Governor Kemp and his wife began quarantining after exposure to an individual who had tested positive.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Turnage|first=Jeremy|date=2020-10-30|title=Ga. Gov. Brian Kemp, First Lady test negative, but go into quarantine after COVID exposure|url=https://www.wrdw.com/2020/10/30/ga-gov-brian-kemp-first-lady-quarantining-after-covid-exposure/|access-date=2020-10-31|website=WRDW|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150751/https://www.wrdw.com/2020/10/30/ga-gov-brian-kemp-first-lady-quarantining-after-covid-exposure/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On January 7, 2021, [[Gwinnett County Public Schools]] had 920 active student and 162 new staff cases. On January 8, 2021, [[Fulton County School System]] had 142 new student and staff cases, and Cherokee County School District (CCSD) cancelled in-person schooling after 441 of the 4,800 staff were out due to either having COVID-19 or being in quarantine after exposure. CCSD had 147 active student and 92 staff COVID-19 infections.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dixon |first=Kristal |date=January 8, 2021 |title=COVID-19 surge, lack of teachers forces Cherokee schools to close classrooms |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta-news/covid-19-surge-lack-of-teachers-forces-cherokee-schools-to-close-classrooms/6ZXVMXXXLFBWJKV63IEZ4UEGII/ |url-status=live |work=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]] |location= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130173538/https://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta-news/covid-19-surge-lack-of-teachers-forces-cherokee-schools-to-close-classrooms/6ZXVMXXXLFBWJKV63IEZ4UEGII/ |archive-date=January 30, 2021 |access-date=February 1, 2021}}</ref>

On March 23, 2021, Governor Kemp announced that all Georgia adults ages 16 and up will be [[eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine]] beginning March 25. <ref>{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Tee |date=March 23, 2021 |title=All Georgia Adults Can Begin Getting The COVID Vaccine On Thursday -- Here's Where To Get The Shot |url=https://atlantafi.com/georgia-covid-vaccine-eligibility/ |work=[[AtlantaFi.com]]}}</ref>

==State and local government responses==
===State government===
[[File:11 ALIVE COVID Interview - 49670985371.jpg|thumb|[[Brigadier General]] Dwayne Wilson, director of joint staff of the [[Georgia National Guard]], speaks with reporters from [[11 Alive]] about the Georgia Guard's response to COVID-19 in the joint operations center at the [[Clay National Guard Center]] on March&nbsp;17, 2020.]]

All state lawmakers and their staff members were urged to self-quarantine on March 18 after state Senator [[Brandon Beach]] tested positive. Beach had displayed symptoms for nearly a week, and despite knowing his COVID-19 test was pending, he went to work at the state capitol on March 16 when emergency legislation was passed. Beach explained in an interview that he "was cleared to go back to normal duties" and added that "[i]n no way, shape or form would [he] ever intentionally expose anyone".<ref name="ajc-beach-interview-2020">{{cite web |last1=Bluestein |first1=Greg |title=AJC Interview: Brandon Beach talks about coronavirus diagnosis that upended Capitol |url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/politics/ajc-interview-brandon-beach-talks-about-coronavirus-diagnosis-that-upended-capitol/09iSdR7sMqIsw9j1Y4f1qN/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 20, 2020 |date=March 20, 2020 |archive-date=May 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527185007/https://www.ajc.com/blog/politics/ajc-interview-brandon-beach-talks-about-coronavirus-diagnosis-that-upended-capitol/09iSdR7sMqIsw9j1Y4f1qN/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Governor Kemp, who was also potentially exposed, said he would not self-quarantine or be tested because his time around others was "severely limited" and he "never interacted with any legislators".<ref name="ajc-prabhu-bluestein">{{cite web |last1=Prabhu |first1=Maya T. |last2=Bluestein |first2=Greg |title=Ga. lawmakers urged to self-quarantine after senator's positive coronavirus test |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/georgia-state-senator-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/ieL8pvOR1KHzy9woAeGFHL/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 20, 2020 |date=March 19, 2020 |archive-date=May 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523224656/https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/georgia-state-senator-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/ieL8pvOR1KHzy9woAeGFHL/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Kemp has faced criticism that his efforts to stop the virus' spread are not forceful enough.<ref name="kemp-broadcast-criticism">{{cite web |last1=Bluestein |first1=Greg |title=AJC IN-DEPTH: Kemp urges Georgians to heed virus warnings but balks at drastic steps |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/ajc-depth-kemp-urges-georgians-heed-virus-warnings-but-balks-drastic-steps/1NCs5550hxcF9M2XZzM8LM/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 29, 2020 |date=March 26, 2020 |archive-date=April 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409173034/https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/ajc-depth-kemp-urges-georgians-heed-virus-warnings-but-balks-drastic-steps/1NCs5550hxcF9M2XZzM8LM/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In a primetime television "town hall" on March 26 simulcast on all of Atlanta's major network stations as well as by statewide PBS member [[Georgia Public Broadcasting]] and over 140  [[List of radio stations in Georgia (U.S. state)|radio stations across the state]] — Kemp appeared with members of the state coronavirus task force, including Atlanta mayor Bottoms, DPH commissioner Kathleen Toomey, [[Georgia Emergency Management Agency]] director Homer Bryson, and Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire commissioner John King.<ref name="kemp-broadcast-stations">{{cite web |last1=Ho |first1=Rodney |title=Gov. Brian Kemp coronavirus town hall to air on WSB, WAGA, WXIA, WGCL, GPB |url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/gov-brian-kemp-coronavirus-town-hall-air-wsb-waga-wxia-wgcl-gpb/33Tuv2SbbDUV3pDS1Umu4L/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 29, 2020 |date=March 25, 2020 |archive-date=April 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402001341/https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/gov-brian-kemp-coronavirus-town-hall-air-wsb-waga-wxia-wgcl-gpb/33Tuv2SbbDUV3pDS1Umu4L/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On March 28, Governor Kemp's top aide Tim Fleming said on social media that "[t]he media and some in the medical profession are peddling these doomsday models and projections... This has in turn resulted in people panicking and local governments across our state overreacting. As a result of their overreach, many small businesses will struggle and some will not reopen." Around the same time, Atlanta mayor Bottoms warned that city hospitals were projected to be "filled beyond capacity" by May 3, and Toomey said the situation would "get much worse".<ref name="judd-trubey-ajc">{{cite web |last1=Judd |first1=Alan |last2=Trubey |first2=J. Scott |title='Explosive spread' of coronavirus in Georgia likely to worsen |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional/explosive-spread-coronavirus-georgia-likely-worsen/u2AjXOD5KD6mCctVLc99OM/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 29, 2020 |date=March 28, 2020 |archive-date=May 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200507152554/https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional/explosive-spread-coronavirus-georgia-likely-worsen/u2AjXOD5KD6mCctVLc99OM/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===State announces reopening===
As of April 21, the state had over 20,000 confirmed cases<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/breaking-news/breaking-nearly-800-coronavirus-deaths-881-confirmed-cases-georgia/P8bqjdUNaCtO39N7lQpWmN/|title=Georgia surpasses 20K cases of COVID-19, reaches 818 deaths|first1=Chelsea|last1=Prince|first2=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|last2=Zachary Hansen|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|access-date=April 22, 2020|archive-date=June 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607093128/https://www.ajc.com/news/breaking-news/breaking-nearly-800-coronavirus-deaths-881-confirmed-cases-georgia/P8bqjdUNaCtO39N7lQpWmN//|url-status=live}}</ref> and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation predicted on that day that June 19 would be the earliest safe date for Georgia to relax its social distancing measures.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.healthdata.org/covid/updates |title=COVID-19 estimation updates &#124; Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation |date=March 24, 2020 |publisher=Healthdata.org |access-date=April 23, 2020 |archive-date=June 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604152437/http://www.healthdata.org/covid/updates |url-status=live }}</ref>

Nonetheless, on April 20 Governor Kemp announced that many businesses could reopen on April 24, including "gyms, hair salons, bowling alleys and tattoo parlors", with movie theaters and restaurants at 50% capacity allowed to reopen on April 27.<ref name="cbsnews1">{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coronavirus-georgia-brian-kemp-governor-businesses-reopen-friday/ |title=Georgia's Governor Brian Kemp allowing many businesses to reopen Friday |work=CBS News |date=April 21, 2020 |access-date=April 23, 2020 |archive-date=May 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523173303/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coronavirus-georgia-brian-kemp-governor-businesses-reopen-friday/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Reactions to the reopening====
The governor's reopening decision brought widespread condemnation from inside and outside of Georgia,<ref name="cbsnews1"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/04/21/georgia-leads-race-become-americas-no-1-death-destination/ |title=Georgia leads the race to become America's No. 1 Death Destination |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=April 23, 2020 |archive-date=June 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606023636/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/04/21/georgia-leads-race-become-americas-no-1-death-destination/ |url-status=live }}</ref> with Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms saying she would "continue to ask Atlantans to please stay at home"; [[Stacey Abrams]], the 2018 [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] candidate for governor, calling reopening "dangerously incompetent";<ref name="cbsnews1"/> and even President Trump (who otherwise had generally been advocating for lifting stay-at-home orders, especially in states with Democratic governors) saying at the April 22 press briefing that Georgia "can wait a little longer... safety has to predominate."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/coronavirus-georgia-trump-kemp_n_5ea0c674c5b69150246d0bfd|title=Trump Tells Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp He's Reopening State 'Too Soon'|last=Bobic|first=Igor|date=April 22, 2020|website=HuffPost|language=en|access-date=April 23, 2020|archive-date=May 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200507201002/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/coronavirus-georgia-trump-kemp_n_5ea0c674c5b69150246d0bfd|url-status=live}}</ref>

====May surge in cases====
As a result of the state's reopening, COVID-19 cases and deaths were predicted to rise in Georgia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/cases-deaths-projected-rise-state-reopens/q4jJqCtX9bmqujkZPa5OdK/|title=Coronavirus cases, deaths projected to rise as Georgia reopens|last=Mariano|first=Willoughby|date=May 6, 2020|website=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|language=en|access-date=May 7, 2020|archive-date=June 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605010426/https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/cases-deaths-projected-rise-state-reopens/q4jJqCtX9bmqujkZPa5OdK/|url-status=live}}</ref> In the first two weeks following the April 24th reopening, the gradual downward trend in new daily cases and deaths continued.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/coronavirus-georgia-covid-dashboard/jvoLBozRtBSVSNQDDAuZxH/|title=Coronavirus in Georgia: COVID-19 Dashboard|date=May 18, 2020|website=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|language=en|access-date=May 18, 2020|archive-date=June 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606135648/https://www.ajc.com/news/coronavirus-georgia-covid-dashboard/jvoLBozRtBSVSNQDDAuZxH/|url-status=live}}</ref> On May 9 the decline trend of new cases dissolved, and May 13 began a "second wave" of increasing daily rates of new cases.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dph.georgia.gov/covid-19-daily-status-report|title=COV19 Cases Over Time; 7-day average|access-date=March 14, 2020|archive-date=June 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605120521/https://dph.georgia.gov/covid-19-daily-status-report|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Coronavirus task force====
Governor Kemp first announced the creation of an 18-member coronavirus task force on February 28.<ref name="ap-task-force-feb">{{cite web |work=Associated Press |title=Georgia governor creates coronavirus task force |url=https://apnews.com/dcd8f617932f1f82fbc9d6d4b4bbccab |publisher=AP News |access-date=April 24, 2020 |date=February 28, 2020 |archive-date=February 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229194623/https://apnews.com/dcd8f617932f1f82fbc9d6d4b4bbccab |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="kemp-pr-03-02">{{cite web |title=Gov. Kemp Names Coronavirus Task Force |url=https://gov.georgia.gov/press-releases/2020-03-02/gov-kemp-names-coronavirus-task-force |publisher=Office of the Governor |access-date=April 24, 2020 |date=March 2, 2020 |archive-date=May 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527165143/https://gov.georgia.gov/press-releases/2020-03-02/gov-kemp-names-coronavirus-task-force |url-status=live }}</ref>

On March 12, Kemp announced that he was expanding the task force to include four new committees: the Emergency Preparedness Committee, chaired by John King; the Economic Impact Committee, chaired by Jeffrey Dorfman; the Primary Care Physicians Committee, chaired by Ben Watson (R–Savannah); and the Committee for the Homeless and Displaced, chaired by Keisha Lance Bottoms, mayor of Atlanta.<ref name="03-12-kemp">{{cite web |title=Gov. Kemp Urges Calm, Announces Coronavirus Task Force Subcommittees |url=https://gov.georgia.gov/press-releases/2020-03-12/gov-kemp-urges-calm-announces-coronavirus-task-force-subcommittees |publisher=Office of the Governor |access-date=April 24, 2020 |date=March 12, 2020 |archive-date=May 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527221412/https://gov.georgia.gov/press-releases/2020-03-12/gov-kemp-urges-calm-announces-coronavirus-task-force-subcommittees |url-status=live }}</ref> This increased the task force's size to 66 members.<ref name="bluestein-ajc-task-force-66">{{cite web |last1=Bluestein |first1=Greg |title=Kemp expands Georgia's coronavirus task force as pandemic spreads |url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/politics/kemp-expands-georgia-coronavirus-task-force-pandemic-spreads/Cmvu0TS30JjDXxaq1MkNMO/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=April 24, 2020 |date=March 21, 2020 |archive-date=April 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424170704/https://www.ajc.com/blog/politics/kemp-expands-georgia-coronavirus-task-force-pandemic-spreads/Cmvu0TS30JjDXxaq1MkNMO/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On March 20, Kemp revealed the complete list of committee members.<ref name="kemp-task-force-03-20-2020">{{cite web |title=Kemp Names Coronavirus Task Force Committees |url=https://gov.georgia.gov/press-releases/2020-03-20/kemp-names-coronavirus-task-force-committees |publisher=Office of the Governor |access-date=April 24, 2020 |date=March 20, 2020 |archive-date=April 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420032046/https://gov.georgia.gov/press-releases/2020-03-20/kemp-names-coronavirus-task-force-committees |url-status=live }}</ref>

Kemp added a fifth committee on April 5, the Community Outreach Committee, co-chaired by Bernice A. King and Leo Smith.<ref name="asb-ajc-kemp">{{cite web |last1=Burns |first1=Asia Simone |title=Kemp expands coronavirus task force with community outreach committee |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/breaking-news/kemp-expands-coronavirus-task-force-with-community-outreach-committee/JXEaBs8xUVhG0AslZpwaoK/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=April 24, 2020 |date=April 5, 2020 |archive-date=April 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408045740/https://www.ajc.com/news/breaking-news/kemp-expands-coronavirus-task-force-with-community-outreach-committee/JXEaBs8xUVhG0AslZpwaoK/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Quarantine sites====
On March 9, Governor Kemp announced the preparation of [[Hard Labor Creek State Park]], located in [[Morgan County, Georgia|Morgan County]], as a quarantine destination for diagnosed individuals "without other options".<ref name="ajc-corona-redmon"/><ref>{{cite web|date=March 9, 2020|title=State park outside Atlanta being prepared for coronavirus isolation|last=Braverman|first=Jason|work=11Alive|url=https://www.11alive.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/hard-labor-creek-state-park-coronavirus/85-90b7939e-46c5-46c7-a3ba-1dff5f068d06|access-date=March 13, 2020|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150829/https://www.11alive.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/hard-labor-creek-state-park-coronavirus/85-90b7939e-46c5-46c7-a3ba-1dff5f068d06|url-status=live}}</ref> On March 10, a coronavirus patient from [[Cherokee County, Georgia|Cherokee County]], who did not need hospitalization but lacked adequate quarantine conditions at home, became the first to be relocated to the park; he was released on March 15.<ref>{{cite web|date=March 10, 2020|title=First coronavirus patient relocated to Hard Labor Creek State Park|last=King|first=Michael|work=11Alive|url=https://www.11alive.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-patient-hard-labor-creek-park/85-dc5e4b1b-eb13-4e28-b217-a86e7c105d18|access-date=March 13, 2020|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150820/https://www.11alive.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-patient-hard-labor-creek-park/85-dc5e4b1b-eb13-4e28-b217-a86e7c105d18|url-status=live}}</ref> A second person arrived on March 17.<ref name="ajc-corona-redmon">{{cite web |last1=Redmon |first1=Jeremy |title=Second coronavirus patient arrives at Georgia's special quarantine site |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/breaking-news/second-coronavirus-patient-arrives-georgia-special-quarantine-site/wd3FbOD7MhZaQpxdmmRA5J/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 19, 2020 |date=March 17, 2020 |archive-date=April 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422021045/https://www.ajc.com/news/breaking-news/second-coronavirus-patient-arrives-georgia-special-quarantine-site/wd3FbOD7MhZaQpxdmmRA5J/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Georgia stopped using this location on March 24. {{citation needed|date=April 2020}}

A second quarantine site was constructed at the [[Georgia Department of Public Safety]] in [[Forsyth, Georgia|Forsyth]], [[Monroe County, Georgia|Monroe County]]. The area houses twenty trailers<ref name="46-charles">{{cite web |last1=Charles |first1=Kerry |title=Kemp: Quarantine site nears completion in Monroe County |url=https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/kemp-quarantine-site-nears-completion-in-monroe-county |publisher=Fox 5 Atlanta |access-date=March 19, 2020 |date=March 18, 2020 |archive-date=May 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512005023/https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/kemp-quarantine-site-nears-completion-in-monroe-county |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="cbs46-kennedy">{{cite web |last1=Kennedy |first1=Jamie |title=COVID-19 quarantine sites pop up outside of Atlanta city limits |url=https://www.cbs46.com/news/covid--quarantine-sites-pop-up-outside-of-atlanta-city/article_883e8800-658c-11ea-97a6-d396dead4011.html |publisher=CBS 46 |access-date=March 19, 2020 |date=March 13, 2020 |archive-date=April 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409173033/https://www.cbs46.com/news/covid--quarantine-sites-pop-up-outside-of-atlanta-city/article_883e8800-658c-11ea-97a6-d396dead4011.html |url-status=live }}</ref> with room for up to 40 patients. This site opened on March&nbsp;24, replacing the old site.<ref name="redmon-ajc-sites">{{cite web |last1=Redmon |first1=Jeremy |title=Georgia closes isolation, monitoring site for coronavirus patients |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/breaking-news/georgia-closes-isolation-monitoring-site-for-coronavirus-patients/qcsF6o7p49ifx6xwhlcWjK/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 25, 2020 |date=March 24, 2020 |archive-date=March 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326102604/https://www.ajc.com/news/breaking-news/georgia-closes-isolation-monitoring-site-for-coronavirus-patients/qcsF6o7p49ifx6xwhlcWjK/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Prisons====
{{Main|Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on prisons}}
The [[Georgia Department of Corrections]] (DOC) suspended visitations and announced additional sanitation measures, but the ''Atlanta Journal-Constitution'' reported that inmates had seen no extra soap.<ref name="covid-ga-doc-prisons">{{cite web |last1=Boone |first1=Christian |last2=Sharpe |first2=Joshua |title='No extra soap': Georgia inmates say prisons not ready for COVID-19 |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/crime--law/inmates-say-state-federal-prisons-ill-prepared-for-covid/JPgQovDI7tvdY3Jmh6vwvK/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 21, 2020 |date=March 19, 2020 |archive-date=April 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409173036/https://www.ajc.com/news/crime--law/inmates-say-state-federal-prisons-ill-prepared-for-covid/JPgQovDI7tvdY3Jmh6vwvK/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A prison worker was confirmed to have COVID-19 on March 18 — the DOC, citing "security and [[HIPAA]] restrictions", declined to name the affected prison. The first detected case on COVID-19 in a prison inmate was at Lee State Prison two days later, on March 20.<ref name="prison-covid-positive-03-20">{{cite news |last1=Blau |first1=Max |last2=Sharpe |first2=Joshua |title=NEW FINDINGS: Georgia prison inmate tests positive for COVID-19 |newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/local/breaking-georgia-prison-inmate-tests-positive-for-covid/2U3hE09fRS6WG9SMHOYZ7I/ |access-date=March 21, 2020 |date=March 20, 2020 |archive-date=May 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527100021/https://www.ajc.com/news/local/breaking-georgia-prison-inmate-tests-positive-for-covid/2U3hE09fRS6WG9SMHOYZ7I/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Department of Public Health====
[[File: Visit images Page 200323-A-AQ105-097.jpg|thumb|Georgia Army National Guard Lt. Col. Pervis Brown and 2nd Lt. Austin Brumby track mission assignments from the [[Georgia Emergency Management Agency]] at the Joint Force Headquarters in Marietta, March 23, 2020.]]
The Department of Public Health (DPH) releases daily coronavirus statistics, including the number of confirmed cases, deaths, positive tests, and total tests, as well as breakdowns by age, sex, and county. DPH recently began releasing numbers twice a day at 12:00 pm and 7:00 pm, and starting on March 24 included the number of hospitalizations. On March 27, the DPH updated the state map on its website. The DPH does not release figures regarding its backlog of tests, a measure that other states have taken.<ref name="tests-ajc-25">{{cite web |last1=Trubey |first1=J. Scott |title=No timetable for widespread virus testing amid ongoing test scarcity |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/local-govt--politics/timetable-for-widespread-virus-testing-amid-ongoing-test-scarcity/oKpCMimtpgDidMAoCThROO/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 29, 2020 |date=March 25, 2020 |archive-date=April 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409173032/https://www.ajc.com/news/local-govt--politics/timetable-for-widespread-virus-testing-amid-ongoing-test-scarcity/oKpCMimtpgDidMAoCThROO/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On May 13, the DPH pulled a bar graph showing trends in new cases among Georgia's counties, that had been published with its bars not properly placed in chronological order (giving the false impression of descending case counts).<ref>{{Cite news|title='It's just cuckoo': state's latest data mishap causes critics to cry foul|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/just-cuckoo-state-latest-data-mishap-causes-critics-cry-foul/182PpUvUX9XEF8vO11NVGO/|last1=Mariano|first1=Willoughby|first2=J. Scott|last2=Trubey|website=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|language=en|access-date=2020-05-17|archive-date=June 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605201603/https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/just-cuckoo-state-latest-data-mishap-causes-critics-cry-foul/182PpUvUX9XEF8vO11NVGO/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Georgia's Covid-19 cases aren't declining as quickly as initial data suggested they were|url=https://www.vox.com/covid-19-coronavirus-us-response-trump/2020/5/18/21262265/georgia-covid-19-cases-declining-reopening|last=Collins|first=Sean|date=2020-05-18|website=Vox|language=en|access-date=2020-05-19|archive-date=June 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604165321/https://www.vox.com/covid-19-coronavirus-us-response-trump/2020/5/18/21262265/georgia-covid-19-cases-declining-reopening|url-status=live}}</ref>

===County and city governments===
{{Update|type=section|date=July 2020|reason=}}[[File:COVID-19 sign in Glynn County, GA, US.jpg|right|thumb|Sign in Glynn County]]
In addition to Atlanta, the cities of [[Brookhaven, Georgia|Brookhaven]], [[Clarkston, Georgia|Clarkston]], [[Sandy Springs, Georgia|Sandy Springs]] and [[Dunwoody]] have approved plans to ban dine-in service at restaurants. Clarkston also banned gatherings of more than ten people.<ref name="ajc-deere-quinn"/> [[South Fulton, Georgia|South Fulton]] on March 17 instituted a [[curfew]] from 9:00 PM to 7:00 AM, with work and medical exceptions.<ref name="ajc-brasch-03-18-2020"/>

[[Athens, Georgia|Athens]]–[[Clarke County, Georgia|Clarke County]] declared on March 19 that "all individuals... shall [[stay-at-home order|shelter at their place of residence]]", though with exceptions.<ref name="athens-clarke-order-march-19">{{cite web |title=An Ordinance for the Second Declaration of a Local State of Emergency Related to COVID-19; and for Other Purposes |url=https://www.accgov.com/DocumentCenter/View/67248/03-Ordinance-for-the-Second-Declaration-of-a-Local-State-of-Emergency-Related-to-COVID-19 |publisher=Athens–Clarke County |access-date=March 20, 2020 |date=March 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320031013/https://www.accgov.com/DocumentCenter/View/67248/03-Ordinance-for-the-Second-Declaration-of-a-Local-State-of-Emergency-Related-to-COVID-19 |archive-date=March 20, 2020 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="ajc-athens-hansen">{{cite web |last1=Hansen |first1=Zachary |title=BREAKING: Athens passes mandatory 'shelter in place' order to try to quell coronavirus spread |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/breaking-news/breaking-athens-passes-mandatory-shelter-place-order-try-quell-coronavirus-spread/gLKKEow5qe4437hFEuRUEO/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 20, 2020 |date=March 19, 2020 |archive-date=May 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501114254/https://www.ajc.com/news/breaking-news/breaking-athens-passes-mandatory-shelter-place-order-try-quell-coronavirus-spread/gLKKEow5qe4437hFEuRUEO/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[DeKalb County, Georgia|DeKalb County]] CEO [[Michael Thurmond]] declared a state of emergency on March&nbsp;23<ref name="dekalb-eo-list">{{cite web |title=State of Emergency Executive Order |url=https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/covid-19/state-emergency-executive-order |website=DeKalb County |access-date=March 29, 2020 |archive-date=April 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403231520/https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/covid-19/state-emergency-executive-order |url-status=live }}</ref> and later issued a stay-at-home order effective from March 28 and to last indefinitely. The order does not affect cities within DeKalb County,<ref name="estep-dekalb-sah-order">{{cite web |last1=Estep |first1=Tyler |title=DeKalb County issues stay-at-home order |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/local/breaking-dekalb-county-issues-stay-home-order/94cJyGdWEUhu9zJfX4upZJ/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 29, 2020 |date=March 27, 2020 |archive-date=May 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512025350/https://www.ajc.com/news/local/breaking-dekalb-county-issues-stay-home-order/94cJyGdWEUhu9zJfX4upZJ/ |url-status=live }}</ref> but the order "invites all of the cities to adopt this Order so that the [r]ules within all of DeKalb County are uniform".<ref name="eo-20-002-dekalb">{{cite web |title=Executive Order No. 20-002 |url=https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/sites/default/files/users/user715/Stay%20at%20Home%20Order%20FINAL.pdf |publisher=DeKalb County |access-date=March 29, 2020 |date=March 27, 2020 |archive-date=April 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409173033/https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/sites/default/files/users/user715/Stay |url-status=live }}</ref>

The city of [[Savannah, Georgia|Savannah]] declared a state of emergency on March 19, and mayor [[Van Johnson]] issued a stay-at-home order on March 24, effective through April 8. Johnson said that the order was "necessary and prudent to enhance and escalate our action plan to minimize the exposure of Savannahians to this virus".<ref name="smn-shelter-24"/>

On March 26, [[Effingham County, Georgia|Effingham County]] declared a state of emergency and "urged" residents to shelter in place.<ref name="rigsby-effingham-emergency">{{cite web |last1=Rigsby |first1=G. G. |title=Effingham County declares state of emergency |url=https://www.savannahnow.com/news/20200326/effingham-county-declares-state-of-emergency |publisher=Savannah Morning News |access-date=March 29, 2020 |date=March 26, 2020 |archive-date=May 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501042059/https://www.savannahnow.com/news/20200326/effingham-county-declares-state-of-emergency |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Springfield, Georgia|Springfield]] declared an emergency the same day. {{citation needed|date=April 2020}}

On March 20, [[Tybee Island]] closed its public beaches and banned the open consumption of alcohol. The island town also ordered all businesses on the island to close from 11 pm to 7 am.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.savannahnow.com/news/20200319/tybee-island-announces-business-hour-restrictions-city-closures-due-to-coronavirus|title=Tybee Island announces business hour restrictions, city closures due to coronavirus|publisher=[[Savannah Morning News]]|date=March 19, 2020}}</ref> On March 28, mayor Shirley Sessions ordered all non-essential businesses on the island to close and banned large groups from March 28 through April 9.<ref name="tybee-official-closure">{{cite web |title=Tybee Mayor Orders Closure of Non-Essential Businesses |url=https://cityoftybee.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=531 |website=City of Tybee Island, Georgia |access-date=March 29, 2020 |date=March 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329002900/https://www.cityoftybee.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=531 |archive-date=March 29, 2020 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="wtoc-tybee">{{cite web |author1=Staff |title=Tybee Island mayor issues order closing all non-essential businesses |url=https://www.wtoc.com/2020/03/27/tybee-island-mayor-issues-order-closing-all-non-essential-businesses/ |publisher=WTOC 11 |access-date=March 29, 2020 |date=March 27, 2020 |archive-date=May 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515130223/https://www.wtoc.com/2020/03/27/tybee-island-mayor-issues-order-closing-all-non-essential-businesses/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Gwinnett County]] issued a stay-at-home order effective March 28 through April 13. The order covers the county as well as its 16 cities.<ref name="kass-gwinnett-order">{{cite web |last1=Kass |first1=Arielle |title=Gwinnett County, cities order residents to stay at home |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/local/gwinnett-county-cities-order-residents-stay-home/Vt50guOjXQMDOK93S2QFWJ/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 29, 2020 |date=March 27, 2020 |archive-date=April 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409173032/https://www.ajc.com/news/local/gwinnett-county-cities-order-residents-stay-home/Vt50guOjXQMDOK93S2QFWJ/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Georgia cities and counties under executive orders
!Municipality
!Emergency
!Stay-at-home
!Curfew
!Date
!Length
|-
|Athens–Clarke County
|
|Yes
|
|March 19, 2020
|
|-
|Atlanta
|Yes
|Yes
|
|March 23, 2020
|
|-
|[[Cobb County, Georgia|Cobb County]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mdjonline.com/news/cobb-county-declares-state-of-emergency/article_f9ea36cc-6e27-11ea-8eb8-9bc71282d9fc.html|title=Cobb County declares state of emergency|author=Marietta Daily Journal News Staff|website=MDJonline.com|language=en-US|access-date=March 25, 2020|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150813/https://www.mdjonline.com/news/cobb-county-declares-state-of-emergency/article_f9ea36cc-6e27-11ea-8eb8-9bc71282d9fc.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/cobb-county-declares-state-of-emergency-orders-residents-to-shelter-in-place|title=Cobb County declares state of emergency, orders residents to 'shelter in place'|author=Fox 5 Atlanta News Staff|website=fox5atlanta.com|date=March 24, 2020|language=en-US|access-date=March 25, 2020|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150753/https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/cobb-county-declares-state-of-emergency-orders-residents-to-shelter-in-place|url-status=live}}</ref>
|Yes
|
|
|March 24, 2020
|April 15, 2020
|-
|DeKalb County
|Yes
|Yes
|
|March 28, 2020
|indefinite
|-
|Dougherty County
|
|Yes
|
|March 20, 2020
|
|-
|Effingham County
|Yes
|
|
|March 26, 2020
|
|-
|Gwinnett County
|
|Yes
|
|March 28, 2020
|April 13, 2020
|-
|Savannah
|Yes
|Yes
|
|March 24, 2020
|April 8, 2020
|-
|South Fulton
|
|
|Yes
|March 17, 2020
|
|}

==== Mask mandate conflict ====
Amidst a rise in cases in July 2020, a number of areas enacted mandates requiring the [[Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|wearing of face coverings]] in public spaces when social distancing is not possible, including Atlanta (whose mayor [[Keisha Lance Bottoms]] has been among Georgians who have tested positive; Bottoms also rolled back the city to Phase 1 guidance, discouraging dine-in restaurants).<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp Sued to Block Atlanta's Face Mask Ordinance. Here's What to Know|url=https://time.com/5868613/georgia-governor-brian-kemp-face-mask-atlanta-keisha-lance-bottoms/|access-date=2020-07-25|magazine=Time|archive-date=October 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009093443/https://time.com/5868613/georgia-governor-brian-kemp-face-mask-atlanta-keisha-lance-bottoms/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms tests positive for coronavirus|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/atlanta-mayor-keisha-lance-bottoms-test-positive-coronavirus/|access-date=2020-07-18|website=www.cbsnews.com|language=en-US|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150823/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/atlanta-mayor-keisha-lance-bottoms-test-positive-coronavirus/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, Governor Kemp declared such orders to be unenforceable as they are a stricter mitigation than those specified by the state. On July 15, Kemp signed an executive order overruling all mask mandates not issued by the state, and prohibiting any future mandate.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Klar|first=Rebecca|date=2020-07-15|title=Georgia governor overrides all local mask orders in the state|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/507600-georgia-governor-overrides-all-local-mask-orders-in-the-state|access-date=2020-07-16|website=TheHill|language=en|archive-date=October 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009093414/https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/507600-georgia-governor-overrides-all-local-mask-orders-in-the-state|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Bluestein|first=Greg|title=Kemp's office: Mask mandates in Georgia are 'unenforceable'|url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/politics/kemp-office-mask-mandates-georgia-are-unenforceable/IqZR7R53hjSS6aR3MRtmHM/|access-date=2020-07-16|website=Atlanta Journal-Constitution|language=en|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150753/https://www.ajc.com/blog/politics/kemp-office-mask-mandates-georgia-are-unenforceable/IqZR7R53hjSS6aR3MRtmHM/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Bluestein|first1=Greg|last2=Brasch|first2=Ben|title=A growing number of Georgia cities require masks over Kemp's objection|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/growing-number-georgia-cities-require-masks-over-kemp-objection/rLK5RODzq1EVJiyebeIi2H/|access-date=2020-07-16|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|language=en|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150741/https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/growing-number-georgia-cities-require-masks-over-kemp-objection/rLK5RODzq1EVJiyebeIi2H/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Furthermore, Kemp filed a lawsuit against the city council of Atlanta and Mayor Bottoms, asserting that she "does not have the legal authority to modify, change or ignore Governor Kemp's executive orders". Bottoms criticized Kemp's action, saying that her order was enforceable and stands, and that "public health experts overwhelmingly agree that wearing a face covering helps slow the spread of this sometimes deadly virus".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp Sues Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms Over Face Mask Order|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/07/16/892109883/georgia-gov-brian-kemp-sues-atlanta-mayor-keisha-lance-bottoms-over-face-mask-or|access-date=2020-07-17|website=NPR.org|date=July 16, 2020 |language=en|archive-date=October 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009093433/https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/07/16/892109883/georgia-gov-brian-kemp-sues-atlanta-mayor-keisha-lance-bottoms-over-face-mask-or|url-status=live|last1=Romo |first1=Vanessa }}</ref>

On August 13, Kemp abruptly dropped the suit, and announced the next day that localized mask mandates would be allowed if certain criteria are met.<ref name="ajc-reversal">{{Cite web|last=Bluestein|first=Greg|title=In reversal, Kemp's new order to let some cities impose mask mandates|url=https://www.ajc.com/politics/politics-blog/kemps-new-order-to-allow-some-cities-to-impose-mask-mandates/Z64MTLEXMVCEFEHESMUEG3BERI/v/|access-date=2020-08-19|website=Atlanta Journal-Constitution|language=en|archive-date=October 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008180357/https://www.ajc.com/politics/politics-blog/kemps-new-order-to-allow-some-cities-to-impose-mask-mandates/Z64MTLEXMVCEFEHESMUEG3BERI/v/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On October 16, State Representative [[Vernon Jones]] expressed his opposition to mask mandates by [[Crowd surfing|crowdsurfing]] without a mask at a 7,000 person campaign rally for DonaldTrump in [[Macon, Georgia|Macon]]. Many rally attendees were also maskless, despite [[Bibb County, Georgia|Bibb County]]'s mask mandate.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Montgomery|first=Blake|date=2020-10-16|title=Georgia Politician Vernon Jones Crowdsurfs Sans Mask at Trump Rally|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/georgia-politician-vernon-jones-crowdsurfs-sans-mask-at-trump-rally|access-date=2020-10-25|website=The Daily Beast|language=en|archive-date=October 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019214110/https://www.thedailybeast.com/georgia-politician-vernon-jones-crowdsurfs-sans-mask-at-trump-rally|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Eason|first=Jenna|date=2020-10-23|title=Did Trump's Macon rally violate Kemp's executive order, Bibb County's mask mandate?|url=https://www.macon.com/news/politics-government/election/article246635618.html|access-date=2020-10-25|website=[[Macon Telegraph]]|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150837/https://www.macon.com/news/politics-government/election/article246635618.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In August 2021, Kemp signed a new executive order prohibiting local governments from enforcing mask and vaccination mandates.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Nussbaum|first=Katie|title=City of Savannah pulls permits amid COVID-19 surge; more restrictions possible|url=https://www.savannahnow.com/story/news/2021/08/24/city-savannah-announces-new-covid-19-restrictions-events-permits/5569843001/|access-date=2021-08-24|website=Savannah Morning News|language=en-US}}</ref>

===School closures===
[[Emory University]] became the first college in the state on March 11 to announce it was closing its campus and moving classes online for the remainder of the semester.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/get-schooled/emory-first-georgia-college-close-campus-over-coronavirus-and-move-classes-online/IFv5Lw4BPmEw9FTJoUxNTN/|last=Downey|first=Maureen|title=Emory is first Georgia college to close campus over coronavirus and move classes online|website=AJC|access-date=March 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312065333/https://www.ajc.com/blog/get-schooled/emory-first-georgia-college-close-campus-over-coronavirus-and-move-classes-online/IFv5Lw4BPmEw9FTJoUxNTN/|archive-date=March 12, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[University System of Georgia]] announced that its 26 public institutions would remain open based on the current advice of the Georgia Department of Public Health.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=https://www.onlineathens.com/news/20200312/uga-classes-slated-to-resume-monday-despite-coronavirus-fears|last=Shearer|first=Lee|title=UGA classes slated to resume Monday despite coronavirus fears|website=Athens Banner-Herald|access-date=March 12, 2020|archive-date=June 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607093151/https://www.onlineathens.com/news/20200312/uga-to-suspend-classes-two-weeks/|url-status=live}}</ref> Three hours later the decision was reversed and the University System of Georgia has temporarily suspended instruction for two weeks starting on March 16.<ref name=":1" /> On March 14, [[Gwinnett Technical College]] decided to close both of its campuses from March 16 through March 22, after announcing on March 13 that from March 23, to resume all currently 100% online courses as usual, and to convert all other courses to online instruction where possible.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gwinnetttech.edu/emergency-notification/|title=Emergency Operations Update|author=Gwinnett Tech Staff|website=Gwinnett Tech|language=en-US|access-date=March 18, 2020|archive-date=May 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200528132347/https://www.gwinnetttech.edu/emergency-notification/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Also on March 12, 2020, many school districts in the state of Georgia decided to cancel classes for at least two weeks, such as [[Cobb County School District]], who had an elementary school teacher test positive for the coronavirus.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/cobb-county-elementary-school-closes-for-14-days-following-positive-coronavirus-case|title=Cobb County elementary school closes for 14 days following positive coronavirus case|date=March 11, 2020|website=FOX 5 Atlanta|language=en-US|access-date=March 13, 2020|archive-date=April 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409173042/https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/cobb-county-elementary-school-closes-for-14-days-following-positive-coronavirus-case|url-status=live}}</ref>

On April 1, 2020, Kemp ordered that all K-12 schools close through the end of the 2019–20 academic year. School districts will continue to educate students remotely. State officials have delayed the high-stakes testing that guides much of the instruction and are expecting approval from the federal government to scrap the tests altogether.<ref name=aprilschoolclosures>{{cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-education/schools-closed-until-fall/r7QgK2idaQ0681UafbW3XP/|title=Kemp orders schools closed through end of school year|date=April 1, 2020|website=Atlanta Journal and Constitution|language=en-US|access-date=April 1, 2020|archive-date=May 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200528044353/https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-education/schools-closed-until-fall/r7QgK2idaQ0681UafbW3XP/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Legislators===
====Votes on response bills====
Congress has so far debated and enacted three bills meant to help the nation respond to the pandemic: the [[Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020]] (signed March 6), the [[Families First Coronavirus Response Act]] (signed March 18), and the [[Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act]] (signed March 27).{{citation needed|date=March 2020}}

Both of Georgia's Senators at the time, [[David Perdue]] and [[Kelly Loeffler]], supported all three bills.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}}

Representatives [[Jody Hice]] and [[Barry Loudermilk]] voted against the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Hice told reporters that the House was "not given the opportunity to even read the legislation before [House Speaker Nancy] Pelosi forced a vote, and no cost estimate had been prepared," and also falsely claimed<ref name="fang-intercept">{{cite web |last1=Fang |first1=Lee |title=Anti-Gay Lawmaker Voted Against Coronavirus Bill Because It "Redefined Family" by Providing Sick Leave to Domestic Partners |url=https://theintercept.com/2020/03/17/coronavirus-stimulus-bill-andy-biggs/ |publisher=The Intercept |access-date=March 29, 2020 |date=March 17, 2020 |archive-date=June 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605003101/https://theintercept.com/2020/03/17/coronavirus-stimulus-bill-andy-biggs/ |url-status=live }}</ref> that the law would repeal the [[Hyde Amendment]], calling it "par for the course for the left, the activist left".

Representative [[John Lewis]] did not vote on the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Act or on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act;<ref name="hor-vote-lewis">{{cite web |title=FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 86 |url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2020/roll086.xml |publisher=House of Representatives |access-date=March 29, 2020 |archive-date=January 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150813/https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2020/roll086.xml |url-status=live }}</ref> Representative [[David Scott]] did not vote on the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Act; and Representative [[Tom Graves]] did not vote on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}}

====Loeffler stock sell-off controversy====
{{Further|2020 Congressional insider trading scandal}}
Senator Loeffler, after a private briefing on the coronavirus from the [[United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions]] on January 24, 2020, began to offload various stocks<ref name="burr-nyt-lipton-fandos">{{cite news |last1=Lipton |first1=Eric |last2=Fandos |first2=Nicholas |title=Senator Richard Burr Sold a Fortune in Stocks as G.O.P. Played Down Coronavirus Threat |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/19/us/politics/richard-burr-stocks-sold-coronavirus.html |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=March 20, 2020 |date=March 19, 2020 |archive-date=June 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605223916/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/19/us/politics/richard-burr-stocks-sold-coronavirus.html |url-status=live }}</ref> — by February 14, she had sold between $1.2 million and $3.1 million worth of holdings.<ref name="daily-beast-loeffler">{{cite news |last1=Markay |first1=Lachlan |last2=Bredderman |first2=William |last3=Brodey |first3=Sam |title=Sen. Kelly Loeffler Dumped Millions in Stock After Coronavirus Briefing |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/sen-kelly-loeffler-dumped-millions-in-stock-after-coronavirus-briefing |newspaper=The Daily Beast |access-date=March 20, 2020 |date=March 19, 2020 |archive-date=June 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603175828/https://www.thedailybeast.com/sen-kelly-loeffler-dumped-millions-in-stock-after-coronavirus-briefing |url-status=live }}</ref> These actions attracted widespread condemnation — Democratic Senate contender [[Raphael Warnock]] called her actions "unconscionable", Republican Senate contender, US Representative [[Doug Collins (politician)|Doug Collins]] said he was "sickened just thinking about it", and Georgia Speaker [[David Ralston]] said he was "absolutely worried about the down-ticket damage".<ref name="mitchell-bluestein-loeffler-ajc">{{cite web |last1=Mitchell |first1=Tia |last2=Bluestein |first2=Greg |title=Loeffler faces backlash over stock trades after coronavirus briefing |url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/politics/loeffler-faces-backlash-after-unloading-stocks-after-coronavirus-briefing/wzWGJhr9IvGugRRHGwU3XI/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 20, 2020 |date=March 20, 2020 |archive-date=April 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418230345/https://www.ajc.com/blog/politics/loeffler-faces-backlash-after-unloading-stocks-after-coronavirus-briefing/wzWGJhr9IvGugRRHGwU3XI/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Public transportation===
[[File:COVID-19 sign, Brunswick, GA, US.jpg|right|thumb|160px|Street sign in Brunswick]]

====MARTA====
In an effort to reduce exposure between [[bus driver]]s and riders, [[Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority|MARTA]] starting requiring passengers to use the rear door. Since the [[fare box]] is at the front near the driver, MARTA stopped collecting fares on buses.<ref name="wickert-marta-bus-fare">{{cite web |last1=Wickert |first1=David |title=MARTA to suspend bus fares amid coronavirus outbreak |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/local-govt--politics/marta-suspend-bus-fares-amid-coronavirus-outbreak/ScFyEuIhGUl4mpUzzKt6gO/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 25, 2020 |date=March 24, 2020 |archive-date=June 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604105403/https://www.ajc.com/news/local-govt--politics/marta-suspend-bus-fares-amid-coronavirus-outbreak/ScFyEuIhGUl4mpUzzKt6gO/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

By the end of March, ridership on trains had fallen 67% and bus ridership dropped by 55% compared with the previous month,<ref name="wickert-marta-bus-fare"/> reflecting national trends. A coalition of public transportation systems across the country —  MARTA, along with [[Bay Area Rapid Transit]], the [[Chicago Transit Authority]], [[Dallas Area Rapid Transit]], [[King County Metro]], the [[Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority]], the [[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]], [[NJ Transit]], the [[San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency]], and the [[Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority]] — requested at least $25 billion in relief from the federal government.<ref name="transp-congress-letter-marta">{{cite web |title=Letter to Congress Requesting Federal Relief for Public Transportation |url=https://itsmarta.com/Letter-to-Congress-Requesting-Federal-Relief.aspx |publisher=MARTA |access-date=March 25, 2020 |date=March 23, 2020 |archive-date=May 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512224542/https://itsmarta.com/Letter-to-Congress-Requesting-Federal-Relief.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>

As of July 11, a policy has been put in place by the company to require masks for all transportation run by MARTA.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.11alive.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/marta-says-they-will-adopt-formal-mask-policy-for-entire-transit-system/85-e202012d-4583-4b20-ac96-bfedabb0320d|title=MARTA says they will adopt formal mask policy for entire transit system|date=July 11, 2020|first1=Michael|last1=King|work=[[WXIA-TV]]|access-date=July 20, 2020|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150758/https://www.11alive.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/marta-says-they-will-adopt-formal-mask-policy-for-entire-transit-system/85-e202012d-4583-4b20-ac96-bfedabb0320d|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Other public transport====
In Cobb County, [[CobbLinc]] blocked access to seats near the front of the bus to maintain distance between the drivers and passengers.<ref name="wickert-buses-ajc">{{cite web |last1=Wickert |first1=David |title=More social distancing on Cobb, Gwinnett buses |url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/commuting/more-social-distancing-cobb-gwinnett-buses/J68ykhC5MJjIDX4x7zXu6O/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 29, 2020 |date=March 28, 2020 |archive-date=May 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519162613/https://www.ajc.com/blog/commuting/more-social-distancing-cobb-gwinnett-buses/J68ykhC5MJjIDX4x7zXu6O/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Gwinnett County Transit]], similar to MARTA, stopped bus fare collection and only use the rear door.<ref name="wickert-buses-ajc"/>

==Private sector responses==
[[File:Covid sign, May 11, 2020, Brunswick, GA, US.jpg|right|thumb|160px|Sign in Brunswick, May 11, 2020]]
[[File:The Olde Pink House, Savannah, GA, US.jpg|right|thumb|160px|Outside service at a tavern in Savannah, May 22, 2020]]

===Commercial entities===
[[Six Flags Over Georgia]] announced that the theme park would close temporarily from March 13 to April 1.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wgxa.tv/news/local/six-flags-over-georgia-closing-through-end-of-march|title=Six Flags Over Georgia closing through end of March|first=WGXA Digital News|last=Staff|date=March 13, 2020|website=WGXA|access-date=March 14, 2020|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150752/https://wgxa.tv/news/local/six-flags-over-georgia-closing-through-end-of-march|url-status=live}}</ref> On March 30, it reported that it would not open until mid-May.<ref>{{cite web|title=Six Flags Over Georgia and White Water Update Temporary Closures|date=March 30, 2020|publisher=Six Flags|url=http://www.sixflags.com/overgeorgia/plan-your-visit/coronavirus-update|access-date=April 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403095939/https://www.sixflags.com/overgeorgia/plan-your-visit/coronavirus-update|archive-date=April 3, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[Emory Healthcare]] announced the postponement of "all inpatient and outpatient elective surgical and procedural cases" starting on March 16.<ref name="trubey-emory">{{cite web |last1=Trubey |first1=Scott |title=Emory to postpone elective surgeries amid coronavirus outbreak |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/local/emory-postpone-elective-surgeries-amid-coronavirus-outbreak/Fmlqa5slSa8Z70iL6eYn9K/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 16, 2020 |date=March 15, 2020 |archive-date=January 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150810/https://www.ajc.com/news/local/emory-postpone-elective-surgeries-amid-coronavirus-outbreak/Fmlqa5slSa8Z70iL6eYn9K/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Furry Weekend Atlanta]], a [[furry convention]] held in Atlanta, announced that the 2020 iteration of the convention scheduled for May had been cancelled in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{cite web|title=Atlanta furry convention canceled due to coronavirus|last1=Garger|first1=Kenneth|date=March 17, 2020|publisher=New York Post|url=https://nypost.com/2020/03/17/atlanta-furry-convention-canceled-due-to-coronavirus/|access-date=March 17, 2020|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150811/https://nypost.com/2020/03/17/atlanta-furry-convention-canceled-due-to-coronavirus/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Other attractions in Atlanta that have closed temporarily include the [[Children's Museum of Atlanta]], the [[World of Coca-Cola]], the [[College Football Hall of Fame]], [[Fernbank Museum of Natural History]], [[Georgia Aquarium]], the [[National Center for Civil and Human Rights]], and [[Zoo Atlanta]].<ref name="ajc-ho-fernbank">{{cite web |last1=Ho |first1=Rodney |title=Fernbank, National Center for Civil and Human Rights, College Hall of Fame all closed next week and probably longer |url=https://www.ajc.com/lifestyles/fernbank-national-center-for-civil-and-human-rights-college-hall-fame-all-closed-next-week-and-probably-longer/WCOf7rDZEtmBf18PpxUUrN/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 25, 2020 |date=March 15, 2020 |archive-date=January 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150758/https://www.ajc.com/lifestyles/fernbank-national-center-for-civil-and-human-rights-college-hall-fame-all-closed-next-week-and-probably-longer/WCOf7rDZEtmBf18PpxUUrN/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Foundations and charities===
The [[Arthur Blank|Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation]] announced on March 20 that it would donate $5&nbsp;million to an Atlanta coronavirus fund set up by United Way of Greater Atlanta, and [[Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia]] in Atlanta, in addition to $400,000 in other grants for non-profits in Georgia and [[Montana]].<ref name="ajc-sports-blank">{{cite web |author1=AJC Sports |title=Blank Foundation pledges $5.4 million in coronavirus aid |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/football/blank-foundation-pledges-million-coronavirus-aid/U3Fb8a9O0t5dbaXnmK5mIM/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 20, 2020 |date=March 20, 2020 |archive-date=January 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150816/https://www.ajc.com/sports/football/blank-foundation-pledges-million-coronavirus-aid/U3Fb8a9O0t5dbaXnmK5mIM/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="blank-press-release-2020-03-20">{{cite web |title=The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Announces Nearly $5.4 Million In Funding For COVID-19 Relief Efforts |url=https://blankfoundation.org/the-arthur-m-blank-family-foundation-announces-nearly-5-4-million-in-funding-for-covid-19-relief-efforts/ |publisher=The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation |access-date=March 20, 2020 |date=March 20, 2020 |archive-date=January 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150756/https://blankfoundation.org/the-arthur-m-blank-family-foundation-announces-nearly-5-4-million-in-funding-for-covid-19-relief-efforts/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In an effort to support local artists, non-profit CREATE Dunwoody created "Everything Will Be OK" yard signs which became popular.<ref name="mathis-albright-dekalb">{{cite web |last1=Mathis |first1=George |last2=Albright |first2=Mandi |title=UPDATE {{!}} Coronavirus in DeKalb County: The latest news from the AJC |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/local/coronavirus-dekalb-county-the-latest-news-from-the-ajc/3HdhO7P6QubkvNsHMBQ1hJ/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 29, 2020 |date=March 27, 2020 |archive-date=January 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150815/https://www.ajc.com/news/local/coronavirus-dekalb-county-the-latest-news-from-the-ajc/3HdhO7P6QubkvNsHMBQ1hJ/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="parade-brunner">{{cite web |last1=Brunner |first1=Jeryl |title=Everything Will Be OK! Iconic Georgia Mural Takes on New Meaning Amid Coronavirus Crisis |url=https://parade.com/1013356/jerylbrunner/dunwoody-georgia-coronavirus-mural/ |publisher=Parade |access-date=March 29, 2020 |date=March 24, 2020 |archive-date=January 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150807/https://parade.com/1013356/jerylbrunner/dunwoody-georgia-coronavirus-mural/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="cnn-kim-23-ok-sign">{{cite news |last1=Kim |first1=Allen |title=A Georgia town will hand deliver 'Everything will be OK' yard signs with profits supporting local artists and art teachers |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/23/us/everything-ok-sign-trnd/index.html |publisher=CNN |access-date=March 29, 2020 |date=March 23, 2020 |archive-date=January 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150751/https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/23/us/everything-ok-sign-trnd/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Impact==
[[File:2020-03-06 — Coronavirus – Flyers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport wearing facemasks.jpg|thumb|Airline passengers at [[Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport]] wearing facemasks]]

===Economy===
During the week of March 16–20, unemployment benefit filings in Georgia increased by 400%.<ref name="ajc-economy-kanell">{{cite web |last1=Kanell |first1=Michael E. |title=Jobless claims soar in Georgia — worse likely coming |url=https://www.ajc.com/business/jobless-claims-soar-georgia-worse-likely-coming/zTXTHDiTe1i2HK3SYJGmWL/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 20, 2020 |date=March 19, 2020 |archive-date=January 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150752/https://www.ajc.com/business/jobless-claims-soar-georgia-worse-likely-coming/zTXTHDiTe1i2HK3SYJGmWL/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Businesses and workers from all over have been affected.<ref name="ajc-ruggieri-artists">{{cite web |last1=Ruggieri |first1=Melissa |title=Virus effects are 'devastating' for local venues, musicians |url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/music/virus-effects-are-devastating-for-local-venues-musicians/tce1dWx3jXKUY2ISFrRGnJ/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 29, 2020 |date=March 27, 2020 |archive-date=March 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328140608/https://www.ajc.com/blog/music/virus-effects-are-devastating-for-local-venues-musicians/tce1dWx3jXKUY2ISFrRGnJ/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Politics===

Georgia's [[2020 Georgia Democratic primary|Democratic presidential primary elections]] were originally scheduled for March 24, 2020, but they were moved to May 19.<ref name="ap-nadler">{{cite news |last1=Nadler |first1=Ben |title=Georgia 2nd state to postpone pres. primaries over virus |url=https://apnews.com/2ec895cc5ec27745f9a1b33c091be7ca |work=Associated Press |access-date=March 25, 2020 |date=March 15, 2020 |archive-date=January 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150813/https://apnews.com/2ec895cc5ec27745f9a1b33c091be7ca |url-status=live }}</ref> On March 24, Secretary of State [[Brad Raffensperger]] announced that all registered voters would receive [[absentee ballot]] request forms [[Postal voting|in the mail]].<ref name="ga-sos-press-vote">{{cite web |title=Raffensperger Takes Unprecedented Steps to Protect Safety and Voter Integrity in Georgia |url=https://sos.ga.gov/index.php/elections/raffensperger_takes_unprecedented_steps_to_protect_safety_and_voter_integrity_in_georgia |publisher=Georgia Secretary of State |access-date=March 25, 2020 |date=March 24, 2020 |archive-date=January 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150808/https://sos.ga.gov/index.php/elections/raffensperger_takes_unprecedented_steps_to_protect_safety_and_voter_integrity_in_georgia |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="11alive-raymond-ballot">{{cite web |last1=Raymond |first1=Jonathan |title=Georgia to send absentee ballot request forms to every voter amid coronavirus concerns |url=https://www.11alive.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/georgia-voting-absentee-ballot-request-forms/85-91b1f8de-296c-413a-8c79-07e9da444a30 |publisher=11 Alive |access-date=March 25, 2020 |date=March 24, 2020 |archive-date=January 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150809/https://www.11alive.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/georgia-voting-absentee-ballot-request-forms/85-91b1f8de-296c-413a-8c79-07e9da444a30 |url-status=live }}</ref> Georgia House Speaker David Ralston wanted to further postpone the election to at least June 23, but Raffensperger insisted the May date would proceed, saying that his plan "keeps the integrity of the vote, while also prioritizing the health and safety of Georgia voters".<ref name="ajc-niesse-elections">{{cite web |last1=Niesse |first1=Mark |title=Georgia primary should stay in May, say elections chief and counties |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/georgia-primary-should-stay-may-say-elections-chief-and-counties/WXrrMz6kK4mm3x33mKmXUN/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 29, 2020 |date=March 28, 2020 |archive-date=June 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621063413/https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/georgia-primary-should-stay-may-say-elections-chief-and-counties/WXrrMz6kK4mm3x33mKmXUN/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On March 10, state senator [[Brandon Beach]] started showing symptoms of COVID-19 and was tested on March 14. However, he attended a special session of the legislature on March 16 before his test results arrived on March 18 showing that he had tested positive. The entire Georgia state senate, their staffs, and Lieutenant Governor [[Geoff Duncan]] went into quarantine until March 30.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/488385-entire-georgia-legislature-urged-to-self-quarantine-after-senator-tests |title=Entire Georgia state legislature urged to self-quarantine after positive coronavirus test |date=March 19, 2020 |work=Hill |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320053110/https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/488385-entire-georgia-legislature-urged-to-self-quarantine-after-senator-tests |archive-date=March 20, 2020}}</ref>

===Sports===
{{Main|Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports}}
Most of the state's sports teams were affected. Several leagues began postponing or suspending their seasons starting March 12. [[Major League Baseball]] cancelled the remainder of [[spring training]] on that date, and on March 16, they announced that the season will be postponed indefinitely, after the recommendations from the [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|CDC]] to restrict events of more than 50 people for the next eight weeks, affecting the [[2020 Atlanta Braves season|Atlanta Braves]].<ref name="mlb">{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/opening-of-regular-season-to-be-pushed-back |title=Opening of regular season to be pushed back |first=Mark |last=Feinsand |website=[[MLB.com]] |date=March 16, 2020 |access-date=March 16, 2020 |archive-date=May 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527171034/https://www.mlb.com/news/opening-of-regular-season-to-be-pushed-back |url-status=live }}</ref> Also on March 12, the [[National Basketball Association]] announced the season would be suspended for 30 days, affecting the [[2019–20 Atlanta Hawks season|Atlanta Hawks]].<ref name=nba>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28893331/nba-owners-seeking-30-day-reevaluation-suspension-games |title=Silver: NBA hiatus likely to last 'at least' 30 days |date=March 12, 2020 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |access-date=March 13, 2020 |archive-date=June 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616080717/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28893331/nba-owners-seeking-30-day-reevaluation-suspension-games |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] also cancelled all of its remaining tournaments for the academic year, including the [[2020 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament]] — whose semi-finals and championship game were originally to be hosted by Atlanta.<ref name="NCAA cancellations">{{cite press release |url=https://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/ncaa-cancels-remaining-winter-and-spring-championships |title=NCAA cancels remaining winter and spring championships |publisher=NCAA |date=March 12, 2020 |access-date=March 12, 2020 |archive-date=June 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614142823/http://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/ncaa-cancels-remaining-winter-and-spring-championships |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[Masters Tournament|Masters]], held annually in Augusta, were postponed and are tentatively rescheduled for November 12–15, 2020.<ref name="nyt-pennington-masters">{{cite news |last1=Pennington |first1=Bill |title=With Masters Postponed, Not Canceled, Golfers Hope for a Do-Over |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/13/sports/golf/masters-postponed.html |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=March 20, 2020 |date=March 13, 2020 |archive-date=January 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150812/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/13/sports/golf/masters-postponed.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

NASCAR was Scheduled to Race at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 13–15, On March 12 NASCAR announced that the events would be held with out crowds in the stand, but however 24 hours later the races were cancelled and rescheduled for June 6–7

===Entertainment===
The touring production of ''[[Hamilton (musical)|Hamilton]]'', originally scheduled to play at the [[Fox Theatre (Atlanta)|Fox Theatre]] in April, moved its dates to August 4 – September 5, causing a production of ''[[Ain't Too Proud]]'' to be moved to later in the season and for a concert by [[Blackberry Smoke]] with [[The Wild Feathers]] and an appearance from [[Iliza Shlesinger]] to be postponed.<ref name="ajc-hamilton">{{cite web |last1=Ruggieri |first1=Melissa |title='Hamilton' shows move to late summer at Fox Theatre |url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/music/hamilton-shows-move-late-summer-fox-theatre/ZyEYH55Bh2BvNg4OtDRbjJ/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 29, 2020 |date=March 27, 2020 |archive-date=June 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614164951/https://www.ajc.com/blog/music/hamilton-shows-move-late-summer-fox-theatre/ZyEYH55Bh2BvNg4OtDRbjJ/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Judicial system===
Grand juries were not allowed to convene through June 12, which consequently delayed a review over whether charges should be filed in the [[murder of Ahmaud Arbery]] in February.<ref name=FaussetMay5Jury>{{cite news |last1=Fausset |first1=Richard |title=Georgia Prosecutor Will Bring Shooting of Ahmaud Arbery to Grand Jury |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/05/us/ahmaud-arbery-killing-georgia.html |access-date=May 6, 2020 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=May 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200506054330/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/05/us/ahmaud-arbery-killing-georgia.html |archive-date=May 6, 2020}}</ref><ref name="ShahMay6">{{cite news |last1=Shah |first1=Khushbu |title=Ahmaud Arbery: anger mounts over killing of black jogger caught on video |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/may/06/ahmaud-arbery-shooting-georgia |access-date=May 7, 2020 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=May 6, 2020 |archive-date=May 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200508012802/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/may/06/ahmaud-arbery-shooting-georgia |url-status=live }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States]]
* [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States]] – for impact on the country
* [[COVID-19 pandemic]] – for impact on other countries

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|COVID-19 pandemic in Georgia (U.S. state)}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20200314160742/https://dph.georgia.gov/novelcoronavirus Coronavirus information] from [[Georgia Department of Public Health]]

{{COVID-19 pandemic|short=yes}}
{{COVID-19 pandemic in the United States}}
{{Portal bar|COVID-19|Georgia (U.S. state)|Medicine|Viruses}}

[[Category:COVID-19 pandemic in the United States by state|Georgia]]
[[Category:2020 in Georgia (U.S. state)|COVID-19 pandemic]]
[[Category:2021 in Georgia (U.S. state)|COVID-19 pandemic]]
[[Category:Disasters in Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:Health in Georgia (U.S. state)]]