The city of Atlanta now requires masks for the general public to help mitigate the spread of coronavirus.
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms signed the executive order, which covers Hartsfield-Jackson Airport as well, on Wednesday, July 8, 2020.
“We will continue to take active measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19 infections in Atlanta,” said Mayor Bottoms said in a press release. “Public health experts overwhelmingly agree that wearing a face covering helps slow the spread of this sometimes deadly virus.”
Masks Mandatory In Atlanta And Other Georgia Cities
East Point also has mandated masks for the general public when they visit businesses. The south Fulton County city joins Savannah and Athens in requiring the use of face masks.
So far the cities and other municipalities that have mandated or about to require masks are:
- Atlanta
- Avondale Estates
- Athens
- Augusta
- Brookhaven
- College Park
- Decatur
- Doraville
- DeKalb County
- Dunwoody
- East Point
- Fairburn
- Hinesville
- Savannath
- South Fulton
- Rome
Hartsfield-Jackson Airport is another destination where masks are required, with Delta Air Lines leading the way in enforcement.
Some of the fines for not wearing masks in these jurisdictions range from a warning to a $25 fine to a $75.
In East Point, the new law means that people who patronize restaurants, liquor stores, barbershops, the post office and any other business must wear a mask or face covering.
If you don’t comply, people without a mask could be penalized $75 along with the business.
The “wear a mask” law for East Point goes into effect on Thursday, July 8, 2020. The law won’t be enforced until Monday, July 13, 2020, according to the AJC.
Meanwhile, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has resisted the call to mandate that all state residents wear masks. Last week, he told reporters that requiring people to wear masks was”a step too far.”
Despite that, Georgia’s COVID-19 cases have topped 100,000 and now Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who has been a frequent critic of Kemp’s handling of the virus, has tested positive for COVID-19.
Taking to Twitter, Mayor Bottoms also defended herself against purported reports that she attending a news conference while awaiting a COVID-19 test.
“FINALLY received our test results taken 8 days before. One person in my house was positive then. By the time we tested again, 1 week later, 3 of us had COVID,” she said. “If we had known sooner, we would have immediately quarantined. Perhaps the National Guard can help with testing too.”
The Atlanta fire chief has quarantined himself as a result of Bottoms’ infection, according to local reports.
Want to know how to make a mask? Here’s everything you need to know.
Atlantafi.com is bringing you the latest on the coronavirus pandemic, which has the state of Georgia and the city of Atlanta under a state of emergency. More definitive advice on health, please visit CDC.gov. Here are some helpful links: