Governor Kemp explicitly bans mask mandates enforced by local governments

ATLANTA, Ga .-- Governor Kemp is explicitly banning Georgia’s cities and counties from ordering people to wear masks in public places.

He’s voiding orders that at least 15 local governments across the state had adopted even though Kemp had earlier said cities and counties had no power to order masks.

Kemp signed an executive order that extended several coronavirus restrictions to July 31 and had an addition of new language regarding the mask mandates.

The executive order states that: “State, county, or municipal law, order, ordinance, rule, or regulation that requires persons to wear face coverings, masks, face shields, or any other Personal Protective Equipment while in places of public accommodation or on public property are suspended to the extent that they are more restrictive than this Executive Order.”

Kemp’s move happened after several local governments enforced a mask mandate including Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah, Rome, and the governor’s hometown of Athens-Clarke County.

Read the full executive order below: