ATLANTA – Today Governor Kemp, Kathleen E. Toomey, M.D., M.P.H., Georgia Department of Public Health(DPH) commissioner, and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) announced that a quarantine space for persons identified by DPH who are unable to self-quarantine at home is under construction on the Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC) campus in Monroe County. The quarantine space will accommodate 20 temporary housing units. Currently, there are no patients located at the GPSTC location.

"This is one of many measures that we're taking to prepare for any scenario," said Governor Kemp. "I appreciate the hard work of GEMA, DPH, and Monroe County officials to protect the health and safety of all Georgians."

“This facility will provide a safe, secure place for individuals to self-quarantine,” said Kathleen E. Toomey, M.D., M.P.H., DPH commissioner. “Self-quarantine helps contain infectious diseases like COVID-19 by preventing the spread to other people and communities.”

Monroe County is working with the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS), and GPSTC officials to ensure the facility will meet the needs of potential COVID-19 patients while protecting the health and safety of Monroe County residents. All necessary precautions will be taken when moving and placing individuals at the facility. 

For continued updates on the COVID-19 situation as it develops, follow @GaDPH. @GeorgiaEMA, and @GovKemp on Twitter and @GaDPH, @GEMA.OHS, and @GovKemp on Facebook. 

For accurate and reliable information about COVID-19 log on to https://dph.georgia.gov/novelcoronavirusor https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.