Decatur becomes latest metro city to mandate masks in public

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.”

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.

[FULL LIST: What cities are requiring face masks?]

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.

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.

This browser does not support the video element.