Mayor & Commission Approve Ordinance Requiring Face Covers in Public Places
Thursday, July 9th, 2020
At the Regular Session meeting on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, the Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission unanimously approved an ordinance declaring a fifth state of local emergency related to coronavirus COVID-19. The declaration included a requirement for face coverings or masks to be worn in public places within Athens-Clarke County to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
The ordinance was signed by Mayor Kelly Girtz on July 8, 2020. The ordinance is in effect from 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 9, 2020 until the end of the day on Tuesday, August 4 unless extended, ended, or amended by the Mayor and Commission.
The ordinance does not require medical grade masks. Face coverings may be fashioned from scarves, bandanas, or other suitable fabrics or face shields. The mask must cover the mouth and nose of the wearer. Information about how to make cloth face coverings is available through the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCGov) COVID-19 website at www.accgov.com/coronavirus.
ACCGov has also obtained some reusable cloth face covers for public distribution through the Transit Department, at ACCGov public facilities, and through community partners such as the Clarke County School District food distribution pods, the Athens Community Council on Aging, and the Athens Free Clinic mobile COVID-19 testing unit. Additional cloth masks and community distribution for those who are unable to obtain or make their own is forthcoming.
The ordinance also requires persons entering commercial establishments to wear face coverings or masks while inside. While the requirement does not apply to religious establishments, the use of face covers is highly recommended during religious activity. All restaurants, retail stores, salons, grocery stores, and pharmacies must require their employees to wear a face cover while having face-to-face interaction with the public.
Persons who are unable to safely wear a face covering due to age or an underlying health condition or who are unable to remove a face covering without the assistance of others are exempt from the ordinance.
Face coverings are not required:
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in personal vehicles;
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when a person is alone in enclosed spaces or only with other household members;
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during outdoor physical activity when the active person maintains a minimum of six feet from other people with whom they do not cohabitate;
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while eating, drinking, or smoking;
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when wearing a face cover causes or aggravates a health condition;
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when wearing a face cover would prevent receiving personal services, such as dental care;
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for children ages 10 and younger.
Although education and voluntary compliance for public health are the primary goals of the ordinance, civil fines are potentially possible of not more than $25 for the first offense, $50 for the second offense, and $100 on the third and subsequent offenses, if necessary, for violations of sections of the ordinance.
The full ordinance, along with other COVID-19 information, local responses, and information about how to make face covers from materials at home, is available at www.accgov.com/coronavirus.