ATLANTA — As COVID-19 cases in Georgia soar to record highs and Gov. Brian Kemp resists calls to order a statewide mask requirement, some local governments are going ahead with their own.
After the city of Savannah became the first in the state to issue a mask mandate, some around Atlanta have begun to slowly follow suit.
Atlanta has not issued its own yet, but Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said Wednesday morning that she would soon be signing such an order.
Technically, by law the orders should be superseded by Gov. Kemp's order, which does not require masks, and it's not clear how enforceable these orders will be.
Below, we'll keep track of the municipalities around the metro area as they order masks to be worn in public:
- Atlanta: Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms signed an order requiring masks on July 8. Anyone inside commercial entities or public spaces in which proper social distancing is not possible is required to wear a face covering. The order also applies to all people flying in and out of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
- Athens-Clarke County: The county commission unanimously passed a mandate on July 7 that for now will run until Aug. 4. The mandate requires all persons "entering a commercial establishment" to "wear a facial covering or mask while inside such establishment." It does not apply to places of worship.
- Brookhaven: Mayor of Brookhaven John Ernst signed an executive order July 9 requiring the use of face masks for everyone entering a commercial establishment. The executive order requires employees of all restaurants, retail stores, salons, grocery stores, and pharmacies while at work to wear a face mask. Anyone who is unable to safely wear a face mask for any reason should not go into public spaces. Anyone failing to comply with the order is subject to a fine of not more than $500.
- Doraville: The city said it will issue an ordinance at its next meeting, Monday July 13, requiring masks that will "cover all public places, including grocery stores, restaurants, and city facilities." It does not apply to places of worship.
- East Point: Mayor Deana Holiday Ingraham signed an order on Monday mandating that "masks or facial coverings shall be required in public places within the City." It applies to "all persons entering a commercial establishment," with the exception of religious establishments.
- Fairburn: An order signed on July 8 by Mayor Elizabeth Carr-Hurst orders that "all persons entering a commercial establishment, including restaurants, retail stores, salons, barber shops, grocery stores and pharmacies" must wear a face covering or mask while inside. Violators will be given a warning first and then $25 fines after that.
- South Fulton: A mandate approved by the city on July 8 took effect July 11 and was set to last 30 days, unless extended. It "applies to people in general - indoors or outside - who are within six feet of others with whom they do not live." Exemptions include children 10 and younger and anyone unable to safely wear a face covering, situations including eating, drinking, smoking or receiving medical or personal services that require the removal of a mask, and when inside residential homes or personal or commercial vehicles.
- Union City: Effective July 10 "all persons entering a commercial establishment" must enter a mask or face covering inside. Exemptions are made for children under 6 or for those whom a "licensed provider has determined wearing a mask or face covering causes or aggravates a health condition." Other exemptions include outdoor physical activity and activities such as eating, drinking or smoking. Violators will be subject to $75 fines.
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