Updated Guidelines for Georgia Childcare and Camping Programs

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has issued two executive orders governing Georgia childcare and camping programs, dated May 21, 2020 and May 28, 2020. Together, the two orders extend the new rules through June 15, 2020, allow more children and staff in groups, and allow overnight camps beginning May 31. The highlights of the new rules are:

Childcare Centers:has interpreted CDC guidance to encourage that staff and children older than two wear face masks “when feasible.”  Elsewhere in the same document, DECAL states that requiring children to wear face masks can be problematic and “business owners can decide how best to follow the CDC’s guidance.” The other rules from previous orders remain in place.

Licensed childcare centers now can serve as many children as the Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) ratios allow. Other childcare groups can have 25 people in a single area. In addition, DECAL

Summer Camps:CDC guidelines are now mandatory only if an executive order or guidance from the Georgia Department of Public Health adopts them.

Day Camps:previous rules remain the same, but there are a few significant changes: 

Most of the

1. Limit of 25. Camps must limit groups to 25 campers and workers, unless they can maintain at least six feet of distance.
2. Groups. “To the extent possible,” keep the same workers and campers in the same group for the duration of the camp.
3. Exposure. Any camper or worker with known exposure to COVID-19 is not allowed access until at least 14 days after the last known exposure.
4. Face Masks. Camps that receive CAPS funding from the state are under DECAL guidelines, which state staff and children over the age of two should wear face masks “when feasible” and that “business owners can decide how best to follow” the guidance.

Other camps must provide masks to workers and campers “as available and appropriate to the function and location” of workers and “activity and location” of the campers.

Overnight Camps:

In addition to the rules for day camps, overnight summer camps must enact seven additional measures. The new rules are:

1. Testing. Campers and workers must have a negative test result for COVID-19 within seven days prior to beginning camp. Anyone with a positive test result and symptoms must show no fever for at least 72 hours without medication, show progressive improvement, and wait at least 10 days after the symptoms appear. Those with a positive test result and no symptoms must wait at least 10 days since the date of the first positive test.
2. Limit of 25. Each bunk room can have only 25 people per room, including adults and campers.
3. Staying On Site. Campers and workers who stay overnight must remain on camp premises at all times except for emergencies or off-site activities that are part of the camp’s program. Anyone who leaves the premises for any reason must receive an additional negative test result prior to re-entry. Workers who do not stay overnight need not be tested, but must wear a face covering and practice social distancing while on the camp premises.