Governor’s Latest Executive Order Has Little Affect on Local Businesses, Municipalities

Not much will change in local municipalities now that the Governor has lifted most of the COVID restrictions in the State.

In an announcement Thursday, Governor Brian Kemp eliminated the gatherings ban, shelter in place requirements, and reduces any remaining distance requirements.

Kemp said Thursday this latest executive order is the culmination of a year of hard work on the part of State government to keep citizens safe while continuing to grow the economy.

But local municipalities like Lavonia have been open for the most part since last summer and continue to see growth.

Mayor Courtney Umbehant said except for two city-owned buildings everything has been open for some time and he doesn’t see much change here.

“I’m really happy that we’re at a place where the Governor feels comfortable being able to lighten some of those restrictions. I think Lavonia has been in a pretty good place for a period of time, though. So I really don’t see other than having access to a couple of properties we’ve been unable to use because of COVID, I don’t think it’s going to change things much,” he said.

Lavonia only closed the Community Center and the Spring St. Gym to the public and now he said those will re-open.

The only change will be the City will now charge a cleaning fee for those who rent one of those public sites.

The same is true in Royston where Mayor David Jordan said except for the city gym leased by a group to host wrestling shows, nothing else is affected by the Governor’s latest executive order.