Governor Brian Kemp has issued the final order extending Georgia's public health state of emergency.
Kemp issued a statement Tuesday saying, "I appreciate the General Assembly granting my office this authority in order to swiftly and appropriately respond to the coronavirus pandemic."
It was in March 2020, during a special session, that the state legislature granted Kemp's administration the authority to suspend state laws, limit public gatherings, and restrict travel.
The public health state of emergency will end on July 1, 2021, at midnight. The previous order was set to expire on June 29 at 11:59pm.
Kemp said the collaborations between the Department of Public Health, dozens of state agencies, local leaders, private sector partners, and countless others were key in protecting both lives and livelihoods. He added, "Thanks to those efforts, more Georgians are getting vaccinated, our economic momentum is strong, and people are getting back to normal. We have emerged resilient, and I thank all Georgians for doing their part. Georgia's best days are ahead as we continue our work to keep the Peach State the No. 1 place to live, work, and raise a family."
The governor is expected to issue an executive order next week to assist Georgia employers in recovering from the COVID-91 pandemic.