Augusta mayor issues mask order

Augusta Mayor Hardie Davis enacted an order Friday requiring people wear face coverings in all public spaces to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Augusta joins a number of Georgia cities including Atlanta, Athens and Savannah to require masks, despite Gov. Brian Kemp’s order stating cities not take stronger measures than the state has.

The order, effective at 6 p.m. for 30 days, applies to all commercial establishments, government buildings and all public squares and spaces, he said.

Churches are excluded, but the order said masks are “highly recommended” during services.

Davis said the order will be under “soft enforcement today.” People will be “strongly encouraged” and warned to wear masks, but within up to 10 days, law enforcement will begin issuing $20 fines for those who refuse. A second offense is $50 and a third, $100.

Davis cited rapidly growing Augusta case numbers and hospitalizations. He said the city has lost employees to COVID-19.

Augusta cases are growing in record numbers and reached 1,517 Friday, with 60 deaths. Statewide cases grew Friday by more than 4,000 and surpassed 111,000.

“When I look at the fact that here in Augusta we’ve had some 170 cases in the last few days and hospitals with increased incidents of COVID in their beds,” Davis said earlier Friday, “there’s an opportunity for us to take every measure.”

Fire Chief Chris James said Augusta had 69 new positives Friday and 217 this week. The city is asking the coroner about available morgue space, he said.

Commissioner Marion Williams said he is concerned about enforcing the order among younger people.

"That’s going to create some conflict with kids and the sheriff’s department,“ Williams said.

Davis previously signed an order requiring masks be worn inside city buildings, but the commission later changed it to a strong recommendation. Richmond County Marshal Ramone Lamkin said all visitors to Augusta Municipal Building readily comply with the recommendation.

augusta-executive-order-0710.pdf