Georgia Governor Supports, But Won’t Order, In-Person School

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp speaks during a coronavirus briefing at the Capitol Friday in Atlanta.

John Bazemore / Associated Press

Georgia’s governor and state superintendent say they want public schools to open for in-person instruction despite the continued spread of coronavirus infections, but they don’t plan force districts to hold face-to-face classes as many move toward remote instruction.

“Kids need to be in the classroom, and I think there’s a safe way to do that,” said Gov. Brian Kemp, who compared the coronavirus to a “stomach bug” at a news conference on Friday.

But when asked if he would take any action to require in-person instruction of Georgia’s 1.8 million students, Kemp said “I haven’t really thought about that. I think schools are trying to do the right thing and it’s just my hope that we’ll get kids back in the classroom.”