Breaking: Kemp authorizes call of Georgia National Guard for COVID-19 response

Atlanta, GA – Today Gov. Brian P. Kemp issued an Executive Order authorizing Adjutant General Tom Carden, at the request of Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Director Homer Bryson, to call up as many as 2,000 Georgia National Guard troops to State Active Duty to address novel coronavirus and COVID-19 in Georgia. The Georgia National Guard is already assisting with the transfer from Dobbins Air Reserve Base of the 31 Georgians quarantined after 21 people traveling with them on the Grand Princess cruise ship who tested positive for COVID-19. Teresa and John Johnson, former Walton County residents, have been quarantined at the base since early this week. They have now been informed they can return to their home, which is now in Augusta, for isolation monitoring by Department of Public Health officials

“Through extensive emergency preparedness training, the brave men and women in the Georgia National Guard stand ready to serve above and beyond their traditional military duties. In states of emergency, they are equipped to take necessary action to protect the health and safety of Georgia families in every region,” said Governor Kemp. “To assist with COVID-19 mitigation and critical services, including the transfer of Georgians currently at Dobbins Air Reserve Base to their homes, the Georgia National Guard will now be available to communities to ensure the steady supply of medical equipment, food, shelter, or related materials to keep Georgians safe in the weeks ahead.”