How will Columbus’ face mask order work? Mayor explains enforcement, exemptions, rules

Columbus 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.

The decision comes as the Chattahoochee Valley prepares for the return of university students to campuses. Muscogee County schools plan for K-12 students to return to in-person instruction Sept. 9.

Both the Columbus metro area and Muscogee County moved this week to the “yellow zone” category of the White House coronavirus task force’s Georgia state report after both areas had been identified as “red zones” for several continuous weeks.

Muscogee County’s test positivity rate fell below the “red zone” threshold of 10% during the week of Aug. 15-21 but its case rate remains in the red zone at more than 100 cases per 100,000 people.

“This was one thing that we felt like was a major component of trying to keep people safe. It’s a shame that some folks have politicized it — it isn’t political,” Henderson said. “It’s strictly trying to minimize the damage on the health of the people in this community and minimize the damage on the economy.”

When and where do I need to wear a mask?

You’ll need to wear a facial covering or mask in any public place, private business, establishment, or corporation. The mask should be worn over the mouth and nose at all times whenever it is difficult to maintain six feet of social distance between people. You do not need to wear a mask in a personal vehicle or residence.

Do I have to wear a mask outside?

It depends on how crowded the outdoor area is. If you’re able to keep six feet of distance between yourself and people you do not live with, you do not need to wear a mask. If you’re at a crowded outdoor event, such as a farmer’s market or a concert, you need to wear a mask, Henderson said.

What should I expect if I don’t wear a mask? Will I be arrested if I don’t wear a mask?

A law enforcement officer may ask you to put on a mask, leave the area, or ask for proof of an exemption. Law enforcement officers can provide you with a mask if you do not have one, Henderson said.

If you’re inside a business, a business owner may ask you to put on a mask and/or provide you with a mask.

Police will not be patrolling specifically to find mask violations, but if they see an infraction, they will intervene, Henderson said. The warning is meant to be informative, not punitive.

“It’s not about punishing people, this is about encouraging people to wear masks, this is all about getting people to participate and doing what’s going to help the community,” he said.

If a person does not put on a mask or leave the premises after a warning, a $50 civil fine may be imposed.

How do I pay the fine?

The $50 civil fine is processed through the Recorder’s Court, the same way as a traffic fine, the mayor said. You can pay online.

Are there exemptions?

Yes:

• 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.

What should a business do if someone will not wear a mask?

Business owners can remind customers of the mask requirement and ask them to put on a mask. Business owners may ask customers to leave if they do not comply.

Business owners may also call the Columbus Police Department at (706) 653-3000, but Henderson notes that the customer may leave by the time a law enforcement officer arrives.

If I don’t want to enforce the mask requirement in my business, what should I do?

Governor Brian Kemp’s most recent statewide order gives Georgia businesses the right to refuse to enforce mask requirements on their premises. Businesses who do not want to consent to the enforcement of the mask requirement on their property need to post signs at all its public entrances. The sign needs to be clearly legible, written in one inch Arial font, and state the following: “This location does not consent to enforcement of any local face covering requirement upon this property.”

How long will the mask mandate last?

The order went into effect at noon on August 21, 2020 and will remain in effect indefinitely.

Ledger-Enquirer staff reporter Nick Wooten contributed to this report.

This story was originally published August 26, 2020 at 7:00 AM with the headline "How will Columbus’ face mask order work? Mayor explains enforcement, exemptions, rules."