Kemp extends virus restrictions till Sept. 15

With the latest numbers showing progress in Georgia’s fight to contain the coronavirus, Gov. Brian Kemp has extended an order that charts out how businesses should operate during the pandemic.

Kemp’s 49-page order continues to prohibit gatherings of more than 50 people, unless social distancing is enforced, and it requires Georgians in long-term care facilities and those deemed “medically fragile” to shelter in place.

It also renews rules that empower local governments and school districts to impose mask requirements, though Kemp has opposed a statewide mandate for face coverings. The new order expires Sept. 15.

Kemp signed the order as state health data shows that confirmed COVID-19 cases have declined in each of the past six weeks. The number of people currently hospitalized in Georgia for COVID-19 also has steadily declined, falling below 2,000 for the first time since early July.

Wary of another post-holiday spike in coronavirus cases, Kemp embarked on a statewide fly-around tour to urge Georgians to take precautions over the Labor

Day weekend.

The governor warned that recent gains in the fight

against the disease will be reversed if people “let their guard down.”

“This progress can be erased very quickly if we grow complacent and ignore the guidance and public safety measures that we have in place,” he said.

Here’s a look at other major developments related to

the coronavirus: