Coronavirus Updates: Georgia Hits 1,000 Deaths As Shelter Order Nears Expiration

Kemp’s order also strips local governments of any power to impose restrictions of their own. Some say Kemp is moving too fast and risking a resurgence in infections.

Among them is Savannah Mayor Van Johnson, who told reporters Tuesday that Kemp was sending conflicting signals by allowing some businesses to reopen while also telling people to stay home.

“In reality, we’re under a stay at home order until April 30,” Johnson said. “Yet you can go get your nails done, you can go get a tattoo, you can go to movie theaters, you can go to bowling alleys. It’s those kinds of things that leave people confused.”

Johnson said over the weekend he noticed increased traffic on Savannah’s streets and fewer people wearing masks or keeping a safe distance from others. He urged local businesses to refrain from opening for the time being if they can.

“We are not out of the woods yet and this is hardly the time to become complacent or lulled into a false sense of security,” Johnson said.

Kemp has said it’s imperative during the health crisis response to also mitigate deep economic suffering across Georgia. The state Department of Labor last week reported that 1.1 million workers — about one-fifth of the state’s workforce — filed for unemployment since the crisis started.

Still, Kemp took fierce criticism when many questioned whether Georgia’s data met reopening guidelines by President Donald Trump’s administration, which called for a two-week trend of declining new cases, widespread public testing and the ability to trace the contacts of infected people to break the chain of infection.

Officials have argued that Georgia’s outbreak peaked in mid-April, but that’s not yet clear from the data. The state has in recent days improved testing capacity, but is still scrambling to build a projected 1,000-worker contact tracing effort.

Poison Center: Georgia Men Drank Bleach Trying To Ward Off Virus

Georgia poison center officials say a few Georgians recently drank liquid cleaning products … in an attempt to protect themselves against COVID-19.

The AJC reports the two men drank the chemicals over the weekend, and both had histories of psychiatric problems and are expected to recover.

This comes after President Donald Trump’s statements during a White House briefing last week asking public health officials if injecting disinfectants into the human body could help combat the coronavirus.

Delta Plans To Revive International Flights Next Month

After grounding almost all of its International flights, Atlanta-based Delta Airlines plans to slowly revive some routes as soon as next month.

With few passengers to transport, Delta has slashed 90% of its International capacity, but in May, Delta executives say the airline will resume some routes.

Out of Atlanta, that includes five Caribbean cities, 10 central and south American destinations, and two daily flights to Europe. Trans-Pacific flights are ‘cargo only,’ for now.

This, as the CEO of Boeing told shareholders Monday] demand for air travel is likely to take two or three years to return to pre-pandemic levels.

 Atlanta’s Food Halls Are Staying Closed For now

Georgia restaurants are slowly reopening under safety and sanitation guidelines from Gov. Kemp, but some of Atlanta’s popular food halls are staying shut.

A Ponce City Market spokesperson told WABE that the food and shopping hall does not have plans to open its doors just yet, and the community’s health and safety is its top priority.

Krog Street Market is also choosing to just do carry-out and delivery options for now.

Krog officials say there are nine restaurants in the market open for business.

 Metro Atlanta Bowling Alleys Still Closed

Bowling alleys in the state have had several days to start rolling again, but that’s not the case for many in the metro Atlanta area.

Bowling alleys were on Gov. Kemp’s list for what could reopen – a list that included hair and nail salons, tattoo parlors and gyms.

Some around the state are using empty lanes to keep social distancing intact like in Warner-Robins, south of Macon.

But in the metro Atlanta area, it’s a different story. Several of them remain closed, posting basic messages online.

Some though went further.

Midtown bowl in Atlanta said before opening, it would need a secure supply chain — for food and protective equipment – to be in place.

And The Comet owners in Decatur posted a note saying they disagree with Kemp, posting “now is too early in the pandemic to have staff and guests gather, socialize, and bowl.”

Emory Announces ‘Blended’ Graduation Format

Emory University has announced its graduation ceremonies will take place in a “blended” format this year.

In a notification Monday, the college said it will host a digital ceremony on May 11. And expects to have an in-person celebration later in the year, at the request of graduating seniors.