If you violate Georgia's shelter-in-place order, then you are breaking the law

ATLANTA - Gov. Brian Kemp's statewide shelter in place order goes into effect 6 p.m. Friday, April 3, and goes through April 13. The goal is to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. So, what happens if you violate the stay-at-home ordinance?

You are breaking the law.

Those who violate the governor's order are committing a misdemeanor, which is a crime in the state of Georgia.

"If you are not sheltering in place and none of the four exceptions essential services, minimum basic operations, critical infrastructure, or necessary travel applies to your activities, you will receive a warning from law enforcement and risk facing criminal charges if you fail to comply," according to the governor's office.

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Warning signs about the coronavirus flash over interstates in Atlanta, GA. Photo: Austin McAfee/FOX 5 Atlanta

What does it mean to "shelter in place?" According to the governor's office, it means residents should remain in their residences and take "every possible precaution to limit social interaction," to prevent the spread or infection of COVID-19.

Kemp's order replaces all other orders from local municipalities (cities and counties) who previously put into effect shelter-in-place orders or curfews over the course of the last few weeks.

More guidance on the order can be found here.

More than 5,800 coronavirus cases have been reported in the state. Health officials say more than 180 have died and over 1,000 people have been hospitalized due to the virus outbreak.

The Department of Public Health says it is working closely with the CDC and state partners to respond to COVID-19 in the U.S., including Georgia. The goal is to quickly identify cases of COVID-19 and take the appropriate public health action to reduce its spread and protect the general public.

Public health officials have urged social distancing to slow down or stop the spread of coronavirus. According to the CDC, adults who are 60+ and people with serious medical conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes, are at higher risk of getting very sick from coronavirus.