ATLANTA — President Donald Trump, once again took Gov. Brian Kemp to task Friday morning over the decision to begin reopening the state's businesses.
"I (or @VP) never gave Governor Brian Kemp an OK on those few businesses outside of the Guidelines," Trump tweeted.
The president insisted that Kemp should "do what is right for the great people of Georgia," in the tweet.
Today is the first day, under Kemp's new guidelines, that salons, spas, gyms, barbershops, tattoo parlors and bowling alleys are able to operate.
During his daily White House Coronavirus Task Force briefing Thursday, Trump said he was not happy with Kemp and the decision to reopen spas, beauty salons, tattoo parlors and bowling alleys as early as Friday.
On Wednesday, he said he "strongly" disagreed with Kemp's move.
“I didn’t like to see spas opening, frankly. I didn’t like to see a lot of things happening and I wasn’t happy with it, and I wasn’t happy with Brian Kemp,” Trump said on Thursday. “I could have done something about it if I wanted to. But I’m saying let the governors do it, but I wasn’t happy with Brian Kemp."
Trump went on to say that he wants the people to be safe.
"I want people to be safe and I want the people of Georgia to be safe. I don’t want this thing to flare up because you decided to do something that is not in the guidelines.”
On Monday, restaurants and theaters are able to open under Kemp's plan.
The governor told 11Alive on Wednesday that he stands by his decision and that he is using the data provided by experts. He also took to Twitter after Trump made the remarks.
11Alive is focusing our news coverage on the facts and not the fear around the virus. We want to keep you informed about the latest developments while ensuring that we deliver confirmed, factual information.
We will track the most important coronavirus elements relating to Georgia on this page. Refresh often for new information.
RELATED HEADLINES: