Georgia DPH Daily COVID-19 Update
Georgia Shelter-In-Place Order
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed into effect a state-wide shelter-in-place order to take effect Friday, April 3, 2020 at 6 pm. This order states that people must shelter in place unless deemed an essential worker, or running what are deemed as essential errands such as grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions, doctor’s visits, taking care of elderly family or friends, or exercising while following social distancing guidelines. The mandate runs through at least April 30. 2020.
You can find the full order HERE.
For a list of FAQ’s and answers, click HERE.
School Closures / Updates
- By order of Gov. Brian Kemp, all K-12 schools are closed the rest of the school year.
- All 26 of the institutions in the Georgia University System have converted to online classes for the rest of the semester
- Lowndes –Lowndes Co. Schools open five cafeterias to provide meals to students
- Valdosta – Second Harvest/VCS Meal Distribution Sites/Times
- Valdosta – State Superintendent’s Updates on Testing/Accountability
- Valdosta – Updates to our VCS COVID-19 FAQs
- Lowndes – Lowndes Provides Food Resources While School’s Closed
Business Impacts
- Per Gov. Kemps Phase One return to business order, all restaurants may resume on-premise dining on Monday, April 27th, as well as offering drive-thru, pick-up, curbside or delivery service.
- All gyms and fitness centers can reopen Friday, April 24
- All bars and clubs are closed
- Bowling Alleys may reopen Friday, April 24th and movie theaters on Monday, April 27th.
- All personal grooming businesses, such as hair and nail salons, tanning centers, tattoo parlors, massage therapy offices, can reopen Friday, April 24.
- Per the City of Valdosta, Lowndes County and the VLPRA, all parks and recreation facilities are closed.
Although the shelter-in-place order remains in effect, the businesses listed above may choose to reopen, but under strict guidelines. SEE THE GUIDELINES HERE
For an alphabetical list of other impacts, please click here
Steps to Protect Yourself
Clean your hands often
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Put distance between yourself and other people. This is especially important for those with a higher risk of getting very sick: Older adults and people with serious chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease.
Additional Health Resources
- South Health District
- South Georgia Medical Center
- Georgia Department of Public Health
- Centers For Disease Control (CDC)
- World Health Organization (WHO)
Latest News
- A new COVID-19 related death for Brooks County
- Businesses to shift to reopening, according to Governor Kemp
- Two New Coronavirus related deaths for Turner County
- Gov. Kemp to present plan to reopen GA’s economy
- Two new Brooks County COVID-19 related deaths reported
- DPH Increases COVID-19 Testing Across Georgia
- First COVID-19 related death reported for Lanier, third for Lowndes
- City of Valdosta Reminds People of COVID-19 Hotline
- LCS Student Meal Drive-Thru Events
- Governor Kemp extends shelter in place order
- Kemp to extend public health state of emergency
- Georgia DOE changes to grades, testing, graduation
- Moody AFB limiting access on Tuesdays and Thursdays
- Echols First Confirmed COVID-19 Case
- GA Governor Issues Order Deputizing Sheriffs
- The Shelter-In-Place order, what you need to know
- Kemp closes schools for the year, preparing a shelter-in-place order
- Valdosta-Lowndes Parks Closed
- First COVID-19 case in Brooks
- Wiregrass Tech admission made easier during crisis
- Theatre Guild response to COVID-19
- Lowndes Co. Schools open five cafeterias to provide meals to students
- Lowndes-Valdosta issue revised Emergency Management Order
- VSU waiving SAT/ACT scores for first-year undergrad applicants
- Kemp closes bars & clubs, restricts gatherings
- Red Cross encouraging blood donations at centers due to pandemic
- Valdosta-Lowndes Development Authority COVID-19 Page for Business & Industry
- South Health District reducing services to essentials
- DDS Suspends All Road Tests
- SGMC Offering Drive-thru COVID-19 Screening
- Ministry serving lunches to offset missed school meals
- Moody AFB operating on limited personnel