TOPLINE
Customers trickled in to reopened restaurants, salons and gyms in Georgia on Monday following Gov. Brian Kemp’s decision to allow non-essential businesses to resume operating this week.
BROOKHAVEN, GA – APRIL 27: Barry Lennon, Operating Partner of J. Christopher, hangs up signs to to … [+]
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KEY FACTS
Despite prior protests in the state against social distancing requirements, the reopened businesses were far from packed.
Only 29% of Americans said they would feel comfortable eating at a restaurant, according to a CBS News poll released last week.
Although Waffle House’s 330 restaurants and a smattering of other eateries chose to open on Monday, most restaurants in the state remain closed.
Kemp’s decision has been met with widespread criticism, even from President Donald Trump; when asked about the disagreement with Trump at a press conference on Monday, Kemp maintained his support for the president: “He said it best today — the media wants to continue to divide us.”
Businesses that choose to reopen must follow a set of 39 guidelines laid out by the state, including that employees must wear masks and restricted capacity.
While employees across the board wore masks, many patrons did not.
ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 27: Harris Little cuts Matt Kim’s hair at 2Qute Hair Salon on April 27, 2020 in … [+]
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BROOKHAVEN, GA – APRIL 27: While an employee washes her hands, Ron Flexon sits at the counter for … [+]
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ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 27: Hand sanitizer is available for customers at Roasters on April 27, 2020 in … [+]
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A man decorates a bistro table outside his restaurant amid the novel coronavirus pandemic in … [+]
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Madison Chop House Grille offers customers free toilet paper Monday, April 27, 2020, in Madison, Ga. … [+]
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A customer gets her eyebrows waxed at Three-13 Salon, Spa & Boutique on Friday, April 24, 2020, in … [+]
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Corey Brooks, right, orders food at a Waffle House restaurant in Savannah, Georgia, on Monday, April … [+]
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Sterling Henderson, 27, cleans gym equipment at Bodyplex Fitness Adventure on Friday, April 24, … [+]
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FILE – In this April 27, 2020, file photo, Jason Godbey hangs a banner over the entrance of Madison … [+]
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Xuan Le wears a mask as she works on the nails of Deriana Hayward at Envy Nail Bar on Friday, April … [+]
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A couple eats on a restaurant’s patio amid the novel coronavirus pandemic in Atlanta, Georgia on … [+]
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Customers sit and eat in Moe’s Original BBQ restaurant amid the coronavirus pandemic in Atlanta, … [+]
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BROOKHAVEN, GA – APRIL 27: Clean items are labeled and organized for dine-in service at the J. … [+]
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