Decatur set to adopt face mask ordinance

Decatur’s city commission is holding a special called meeting 9 a.m. Friday to approve an ordinance requiring the use of face masks within the city. The commission approved a mask resolution Wednesday morning that “strongly encourages” residents to don masks. But a subsequent discussion among commissioners deemed a mandate necessary.

Decatur’s decision comes as other cities, including Atlanta on Wednesday, are adopting similar laws. Georgia’s COVID 19 cases have exploded the past month with the state surpassing 100,000 total this week. Savannah became the first local government to mandate mask wearing last week, with East Point and Athens/Clark County following this week. The AJC reported on Wednesday that Doraville and DeKalb County are close behind.

These new local laws appear to conflict with the June 29 statewide executive order from Governor Brian Kemp that “strongly encourages” but doesn’t mandate face coverings.

“We know we’re in conflict but we don’t know what the [legal] repercussions are,” Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett said Wednesday. “For us it had a broad impact that Atlanta right next door is doing it. We also have a lot of physicians and medical professionals in the city telling us this is an important step.”

Wearing, or refusing to wear a face mask has sparked volatile and even a violent outbursts nationwide in recent weeks. For many wearing or not wearing is symbol of political loyalty, or an incursion of personal liberties or a rupture in style or any number of real or perceived affronts.

Decatur’s resolution is straightforward: With “reasonable exceptions … While indoors, all customers, employees, and other users of restaurants, grocery and retail stores, all occupants of public transportation vehicles, and all persons in any other indoor or outdoor environment in which people cannot maintain the physical distance required or recommended are strongly encouraged to use a face covering.”

It’s anticipated the city ordinance, currently getting prepared by City Attorney Bryan Downs and City Manager Andrea Arnold, will include similar language.