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On Wednesday Georgia's Republican Governor Brian Kemp announced his intention to continue lifting social distancing measures to reopen the state.
Kemp believes the state's COVID-19 numbers "continue to look really good" even though the number of newly confirmed cases last week was up 26 percent from the week before.
"It's one reason I opened up the state when I did," Kemp said on Wednesday while speaking during a visit at Macon hospital. "I felt like our people had learned a lot. They get it. They know what they need to do. We can't keep fighting the virus from our living room."
While the state's number of coronavirus cases increased 26 percent last week, the increase could be due to expanded testing. The state has 136 specimen collection sites and is using the National Guard to help administer tests in nursing homes, according to state Department of Public Health spokeswoman Nancy Nydam.
Kemp has ordered the state's bars, nightclubs and live performance venues to stay closed until the end of the month, but in April he lifted his statewide shelter-in-place order, allowing barbershops, nail salons and other close-contact businesses to reopen as long as they observed certain social distancing measures.
He also recently announced that some state agencies will reopen the coming week and has relaxed restaurant restrictions, allowing eateries with dine-in service to accommodate groups of up to 10 people.
"I'm focused on two battles," Kemp said at the time. "One to stop the spread of COVID-19, and the other is the battle to bring our economy back."
However, Kemp's decision to reopen the state's nonessential businesses during late April prompted criticism from local politicians and President Donald Trump. Among his critics were Savannah Mayor Van Johnson, who called the move "reckless," Albany Mayor Bo Dorough, who dubbed it "irresponsible," and Augusta Mayor Hardie Davis, who said he was "shocked" by Kemp's decision.
"This is just not handing [businesses] the keys back to go back to where we were," Kemp said in late April. He called the state's reopening plans "a measured approach" which required businesses to follow guidelines based on input from public health officials.
"I told the governor of Georgia, Brian Kemp, that I disagree strongly with his decision to open certain facilities which are in violation of the Phase I guidelines for the incredible people of Georgia," Trump said during an April 22 coronavirus task force news briefing.
"It's just too soon," Trump continued. "I think it's just too soon."
Newsweek reached out to Kemp's office for comment. This story will be updated with any response.
