ATLANTA – State Representative Karen Bennett (D-Stone Mountain), along with members of the Georgia General Assembly, recently convened for a special legislative session to ratify Governor Brian Kemp’s proclamation of a public health state of emergency in Georgia on Monday, March 16, 2020.
“The governor’s public health state of emergency is critical to allowing our state to take the necessary steps in protecting the safety and well-being of all of our citizens, including the constituents in House District 94,” said Rep. Bennett. “I am grateful to my colleagues in the General Assembly for coming together to ratify this crucial executive order, and I also commend the Georgia Department of Public Health for providing vital information to Georgians on ways to protect themselves, such as practicing social distancing. I encourage my citizens to remain calm during this time and to take proactive measures to protect themselves and their families against COVID-19.”
On Saturday, March 14, Gov. Kemp declared a public health state of emergency to allow the state to further address the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Georgia. In consultation with the Georgia Commissioner of Public Health, the Georgia Coronavirus Task Force and other state health and emergency preparedness officials, Gov. Kemp determined a public health emergency exists in the state and that it is necessary to take action to protect the health, safety and welfare of Georgia’s residents. Gov. Kemp officially declared the public health state of emergency after President Donald Trump signed a national emergency declaration for the U.S.
The General Assembly adopted a joint resolution, House Resolution 4EX, to concur with the governor’s executive order and ratify the public health state of emergency. The public health state of emergency will allow all of the state’s resources to be made available for the mitigation and treatment of COVID-19. The governor’s emergency executive order will allow the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) to direct specific health care action in extraordinary circumstances, suspends restrictions on hours of commercial vehicle operation and vehicle height, weight and length thresholds to assist in preparation and response efforts and authorizes the Georgia Composite Medical Board and Georgia Board of Nursing to grant temporary licenses to applicants who are in good standing in other states to assist in addressing health care needs. Additionally, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency will be the lead agency for responding to this public health emergency and will coordinate all emergency response activities. Gov. Kemp will also have the ability to compel a health care facility to provide services or the use of its facility if such services or use are reasonable and necessary for emergency response, as well as implement a mandatory vaccination or quarantine program.
For more information about the governor’s declaration of a public health state of emergency, please click here.
For more information about COVID-19, please click here.
Representative Karen Bennett represents the citizens of Districts 94, which includes portions of DeKalb and Gwinnett counties. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2012 and currently serves on the Code Revision, Economic Development & Tourism, Health & Human Services and Regulated Industries committees.
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