Gov. Brian Kemp signed an executive order June 11 that relaxes more restrictions put in place since April to stem the spread of Covid-19, including no limits on the number of dine-in customers at restaurants, allowing for conventions to resume and reopening live performance venues. The new order comes days before state lawmakers are to return to the State Capitol and pass a budget that has been rocked by the pandemic.
Some public health experts question the governor's decision to continue loosening the coronavirus guidelines, saying current data shows an increase in Covid-19 cases since May 1, with spikes occurring in smaller counties outside metro Atlanta.
Kemp’s executive order immediately lifts the shelter-in-place order on those 65 and older unless they have underlying medical conditions such as heart or lung disease. Most of the other relaxed measures go into effect at midnight on June 16. The full executive order can be read here.