Georgia is moving to rapidly reopen businesses in phases by the end of this week, with the state's Republican governor, Brian Kemp, announcing several sectors set to be back in business.

At a news conference Monday afternoon, Kemp said some elective surgeries could resume immediately, with gyms, salons, and bowling alleys set to open Friday.

Next Monday, movie theaters and restaurants will be allowed to open.

Kemp cited the White House's new guidelines in his announcement.

"We appreciate the leadership and share in the desire to reopen the economy and get Americans back to work," Kemp said.

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Georgia will allow businesses to begin reopening in phases on Friday and into next Monday, Gov. Brian Kemp announced Monday afternoon at a news conference.

Some elective surgeries could resume immediately, he said. Gyms, hair salons, barbershops, fitness centers, and massage-therapy centers will be allowed to reopen Friday as long as they follow social distancing and "regular sanitation."

Next Monday, restaurants, private social clubs, and movie theaters can also open.

Kemp was light on specifics in his remarks, saying businesses should "adhere to the minimum basic operations."

"Minimum basic operations includes, but is not limited to, screening workers for fever and respiratory illness, enhancing workplace sanitation, wearing gloves and masks if appropriate, separating workspaces by at least 6 feet, and teleworking where at all possible, and implementing staggered shifts," the Republican governor said.

Bars, nightclubs, amusement parks, and other businesses will remain closed, Kemp added, pending further advice from public-health experts.

Georgia has issued more than 80,000 COVID-19 tests so far, with 18,947 positive cases and 733 deaths as of Monday.

Kemp said the state's rate of new infections had flattened, and he cited President Donald Trump's desire to get the country back to work during his remarks. The White House last week announced guidelines that recommended a phased reopening of state economies at the discretion of governors based on the latest case numbers and testing capacities.

"We appreciate the leadership and share in the desire to reopen the economy and get Americans back to work," Kemp said.