Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee governors reopening their states

The governors of South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia announced plans Monday to ease shelter-in-place restrictions in their states that were implemented to slow the coronavirus pandemic.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said that his sheltering order will expire for most state residents after April 30. The Republican governor said that on April 27 certain facilities including "theaters, private social clubs, and restaurant dine-in services" will be permitted to reopen but will still need to observe social distancing and sanitation requirements.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, a Republican, indicated that his state will begin reopening next week. The state's stay-at-home order will expire the last day of the month and many businesses will be permitted to open again on the first of May. 

“Our Economic Recovery Group is working with industry leaders around the clock so that some businesses can open as soon as Monday, April 27,” said Lee, according to a press release. “These businesses will open according to specific guidance that we will provide in accordance with state and national experts in both medicine and business.”

South Carolina GOP Gov. Henry McMaster said on Monday that beaches, department stores and some other retailer previously considered nonessential will be allowed to reopen on Tuesday, thought they must enforce social distancing guidelines.