City unanimously OKs face mask ordinance

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Decatur’s city commission unanimously (5-0) approved an ordinance Friday morning requiring the use of face masks within the city’s 4.2 square miles, particularly regarding indoor public spaces. The law was drafted by City Attorney Bryan Downs, who partly assimilated portions of ordinances adopted over the last week by Savannah, East Point, Atlanta and Athens (Brookhaven and Doraville have also adopted similar ordinances).

The crux of Decatur’s law reads: “All persons entering an establishment in the City of Decatur shall wear a facial covering or mask while inside such establishment. This requirement to wear a facial covering does not apply to religious establishments; however, the use of facial coverings is highlyrecommended during religious activity.”

Despite the unanimity there was contention from Commissioners Lesa Mayer and George Dusenbury. Both believed a lack of clarity in the clause stating masks weren’t required “during outdoor physical activity, provided the active person maintains a minimum of six feet from other people with whom they do not cohabitate at all times.”

Both believe in more durable language in delineating outdoor mask use, with Mayer particularly expressing disappointment. She and Dusenbury, however, weren’t alone. Judging from public comments over the past two days, there was a significant sentiment for the ordinance requiring full-time mask wearing outdoors except in a car or during solitary exercise.

While the goal, Downs said, is “voluntary compliance,” the ordinance states officers can issue a warning and subsequently issue penalties of “not more than $25 on the first offense, not more than $50 on the second offense, and not more than $100 on the third offense and any subsequent offenses.”

Downs doesn’t believe Decatur’s or the other new local laws are in conflict with Governor Brian Kemp’s June 29 statewide executive order that “strongly encourages” but doesn’t mandate face coverings.

He cites Kemp’s recent statewide “Wear a Mask Tour,” flying to seven Georgia cities to publicly emphasize facial coverings.

Decatur’s ordinance became effective 8 a.m. Saturday ( July 11) through Aug. 17, or “until it is extended, rescinded, or amended by ordinance of the City Commission.”

AJC FILE The main Gwinnett County Clerk of Court’s office at the Justice and Administration Center in Lawrenceville is closed until July 27.