Face masks now required in Columbus public places, mayor says in emergency COVID-19 order
Face masks will now be required in public places in Columbus, Georgia to help slow the spread of coronavirus.
Mayor Skip Henderson issued an emergency order Friday requiring that face masks or coverings be worn in Columbus and Muscogee County during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Failing to wear a mask in public will result in a $50 penalty, the order says. The order goes into effect at noon on August 21.
Governor Brian Kemp’s most recent round of emergency orders allowed municipalities to create local mask mandates with certain limits.
The prevalence of confirmed coronavirus cases in the Columbus area and the efficacy of mask mandates in other states are listed among Henderson’s reasons for issuing the mask mandate.
As of August 17, confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Columbus/Muscogee County over the past 14 days now near 400 cases per 100,000 people, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.
Under the mayor’s order, businesses may refuse the enforcement of the mask mandate on their premises. Businesses that do not consent to the enforcement of the order are required to post notices at its public entrances that read “This location does not consent to enforcement of any local face covering requirement upon this property.” The notice must be clearly legible and written in one-inch Arial font.
The order also requires that face masks be worn in any building or facility of the Columbus Consolidated Government. Those who do not wear a mask or do not follow social distancing guidelines may be refused entry to government buildings and facilities in Columbus.
Some exemptions are listed in the Columbus order. Here are the circumstances in which a mask is not required:
- In personal vehicles or upon residential property.
When a person is alone in enclosed spaces or only with other household members.
When the individual has a bonafide religious objection to wearing a facial covering or mask.
While drinking or eating.
When a licensed healthcare provider has determined that wearing a fiscal covering or mask aggravates a health condition for the individual or when such a person has a bonafide medical reason for not wearing a facial covering or mask.
When wearing a facial covering or mask would prevent the receipt of personal services or performing work in the course of employment.
When complying with the directions of a law enforcement officer or for the purposes of verifying a person’s identity, such as when purchasing alcohol, tobacco, or prescriptions drugs or when engaging in a financial transaction.
Children under the age of the 10 years old.
When the individual is having difficultly donning or removing a face mask or covering without assistance.
No individual shall be denied entry or exit to or from a polling place for failure to wear a facial covering or mask.
When outdoors and maintaining social distancing from anyone other than individuals which whom they co-habitate.
In the case of a business or entity that chooses not to consent to the enforcement of the order upon its property.
Henderson’s order comes after weeks of speculation as to whether he would issue a mask mandate and how the city would enforce penalties. Columbus joins Athens-Clarke County, Atlanta, Dunwoody, Roswell, Sandy Springs, and Smyrna in passing a city-wide mask mandate.
In nearby LaGrange, city council members unanimously approved an ordinance on August 18 that allows private businesses to require masks in their business. Businesses may enforce their mask mandates, which carry a $50 civil fine as penalty.
Read Henderson’s full order below:
This story was originally published August 21, 2020 at 9:59 AM.