South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham expressed concern that Georgia was reopening too quickly even though his own state is already planning to reopen certain businesses.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced this week that the state would reopen gyms, bowling alleys, tattoo shops, barber shops, hair salons, nail salons, and massage parlors this week.
Kemp said that restaurants and beaches will reopen next week.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster also announced that his state would allow book shops, music stores, flower shops, clothing stores, department stores, sporting goods stores, and flea markets at 20% of their normal capacity.
Graham says Georgia going too fast:
I support what South Carolina Governor @henrymcmaster announced yesterday -- a small reopening of our state's economy with a focus on social distancing,” Graham tweeted on Tuesday. “I worry that our friends and neighbors in Georgia are going too fast too soon.”
“We respect Georgia's right to determine its own fate, but we are all in this together,” he added. “What happens in Georgia will impact us in South Carolina.”
President Donald Trump did not express any reservations about Georgia’s plan.
"He's a very capable man. He knows what he’s doing. He’s done a very good job as governor in Georgia," Trump said on Tuesday.
Atlanta mayor rips plan:
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said that Kemp did not speak to her before making the announcement.
“I’ve spoken with several leaders across this state. So we really are at a loss, and I am concerned as a mother and as the mayor of our capital city,” she told CNN. “I’m perplexed that we have opened up in this way. And again, I can’t stress enough, I work very well with our governor, and I look forward to having a better understanding of what his reasoning is. But as I look at the data and as I talk with our public health officials, I don’t see that it’s based on anything that’s logical.”
