He asked Kemp to allow Lawrenceville and other governments to enforce more stringent restrictions.

“Local governments are the boots on the ground and we can quickly interpret and enforce our own emergency orders effectively — moving the needle in stopping the spread of COVID-19,” he said.

Other local leaders were not as outspoken as Still, but questioned the effect the state’s order would have locally. Chris McGahee, Duluth’s director of economic development, said city attorneys were poring over the order but he wasn’t yet sure what would be different for local governments.

“It definitely looks like there are some changes,” he said. “It’s kind of a weird time for us. We’re sort of in exploration phase, at the moment.”

In Auburn, City Administrator Alex Mitchem said with more exceptions available under the state’s order than the county’s, he wonders if some stores will try to reopen.

“I’m curious if our businesses are going to respond any differently,” he said. “What about a retail store, if they’re doing self-checkout? We’re going to see what next week brings. That’s going to be interesting.”