Now that Georgia’s statewide stay-at-home order has come to an end, the mayor of Tybee Island says her community is bracing for a rise in tourism.
On Friday’s edition of “Closer Look,” Mayor Shirley Sessions told host Rose Scott that warm weather and loosened restrictions will likely lead to more crowds on the island’s beaches. Sessions said the city is expecting an estimated 10,000 cars, based on data from last weekend.
The mayor added she does not feel her community has adequate resources to enforce social-distancing guidelines.
The Tybee Island City Council previously voted to close the city’s beaches in late March. However, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s stay-at-home order reversed the council’s decision. As a result, Tybee Island’s local leaders were required to reopen the beaches during the pandemic, despite Sessions’ objections.
Meanwhile, Kemp has defended his decision to keep beaches open during his stay-at-home order. During an April news conference, he said Georgians should still have the opportunity to get outside.
