DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — City of Decatur leaders have approved an ordinance that will make wearing masks in public spaces mandatory.
Channel 2′s Kristen Holloway watched Friday’s virtual meeting where commissioners unanimously approved the 8-page mask policy. It will go into effect Saturday at 8 a.m.
The board says all businesses should post a visible sign near the front entrance that reads “Per city ordinance all persons must wear a mask while on the premise or you can face a civil penalty up to $100.”
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Decatur is providing the signs to local businesses starting Friday afternoon and the city is also handing out masks if you don’t have one.
Those who cannot maintain six feet of distance from another person while outside are encouraged to have a mask on.
People are not required to wear masks when they are:
- In personal vehicles.
- Children under the age of 10.
- Drinking or eating.
- When a licensed healthcare provider has determined that wearing a facial covering or mask causes or aggravates a health condition for the individual.
- 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 prescription drugs or when engaging in a financial transaction.
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City leaders say police will enforce masks if they see people not wearing them. People who don’t wear a mask could face penalties.
“This is about compliance. The goal here is not to punish. The goal here is to get a mask on someone’s face,” commissioner Bryan Downs said.
In the first instance, someone will be handed a mask if they don’t have one. If they continue to refuse, a warning will be given. If they still refuse, they are given a citation for a civil penalty of $25.
The second offense would be a $50 penalty and the third offense and others past that would be $100.
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Cox Media Group
