Georgia Businesses May Be Slow to Reopen Despite Governor’s Encouragement

Gov. Brian Kemp’s call to reopen shuttered businesses in Georgia left many business owners wary and confused this week as they considered how to protect themselves and their customers in a state where coronavirus deaths exceed 800 and confirmed infections have surpassed 20,000.

Kemp’s plan to kick-start the economy is one of the most aggressive announced since President Donald Trump laid out benchmarks for states to start lifting restrictions. But Georgia’s testing system has lagged behind much of the nation and public health experts warned that moving too quickly could fuel a resurgence in infections.