Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has signed two executive orders extending the Public Health State of Emergency and existing COVID-19 safety measures.

The first executive order extends the Public Health State of Emergency through 11:59 p.m. on September 10, 2020. The Public Health State of Emergency allows for enhanced coordination across government and the private sector for supply procurement, comprehensive testing and healthcare capacity.

By renewing the applicability of exiting language, the second executive order signed by the Governor continues to require social distancing, bans gathering of more than 50 people unless there is six feet between each person, outlines mandatory criteria for businesses, and requires sheltering in place for those living in long-term care facilities and the medically fragile, among other provisions. This order runs through August 15.

Gov. Kemp said that the fight against the Coronavirus continues, and these executive orders reaffirm the state’s commitment to protecting the lives and livelihoods of all Georgia’s. Kemp noted that when businesses, restaurants, venues and citizens follow the guidelines carefully crafted by the Georgia Department of Public Health, the next step in opening the Peach State back to normalcy will resume.

Gov. Kemp signed both orders last Friday.