As other cities adopt, Augusta mask order uncertain
With a growing number of Georgia and South Carolina cities requiring face covering in public places, a handful of Augusta commissioners support a mask mandate.
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms signed a mask order Wednesday, adding the capital to a growing list of Georgia cities including Savannah, Athens, Hinesville and East Point that require them. Columbia, Charleston and other South Carolina cities require them as does Jacksonville, Fla.
The Georgia cities are defying Gov. Brian Kemp’s order that local governments can’t go further than the state has in requiring masks, which Georgia does not.
Augusta so far, along with North Augusta, have stopped short of requiring face coverings, instead “encouraging” their use to stop the pandemic spread. Augusta-Richmond County had 1,448 confirmed COVID-19 cases Thursday, about 0.7% of the population.
Asked whether he supports requiring masks and if he will sign an executive order requiring them or seek a commission vote on the matter, Mayor Hardie Davis did not answer.
“It is prudent that the city of Augusta considers all options on how best to provide for the health, safety and well-being of all its citizens,” he said in a statement.
He has said such a measure would need Augusta Commission support. Earlier in the pandemic, Davis issued orders closing the local government and businesses.
Commissioner Marion Williams said he supports a mask requirement although Davis has not asked him about one. “He hasn’t said anything,” Williams said.
Commissioner Dennis Williams said Davis hasn’t asked him about it.
“He’s talked to some,” he said.
Williams said he “definitely” supports mandating mask-wearing.
“We have to look out for the good of everybody,” Williams said. “It should not be left up to the general public to decide.”
Commissioner Bill Fennoy said he hasn’t spoken with Davis or any of his colleagues about a requirement, but he supports one.
“We’ve got a deadly virus and Georgia is a hot state,” Fennoy said. “We need to do whatever we can to protect our employees and protect the people in our city and to minimize their exposure.”
Commissioner Ben Hasan now supports a mandate.
“I think at this point we’ve got to do something. I’ve been opposed to making it mandatory because of the enforcement side of it, and I didn’t want to violate what the governor had decreed for the whole state, but I have to say I support it now.”
Without an order, a mandate would need six commission votes to pass.
Commissioners John Clarke and Brandon Garrett have maintained opposition to a mask requirement.
“I don’t think government should have to mandate wearing masks especially when it’s unenforceable,” Garrett said.
“I know this is controversial for many and I respect that. At what point do we stop waiting for government to tell us what to do and exercise some common decency when in crowded areas?”
Other cities are imposing fines, often $25 for individuals and $100 for businesses who refuse to comply. Savannah Mayor Van Johnson said Wednesday his city’s ordinance needs tweaking after seeing many people not wearing them.
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