Decatur extends mask mandate, monetary penalties to Dec. 6

Again, at its regular meeting on Nov. 1, the Decatur City Commission extended the city’s Face Cover ordinance until 11:59 p.m. Dec. 6, with civil penalties.

Those penalties are $25 for the first offense, $50 for the second offense and $50 each for any additional offenses.

People are required to wear masks and protective coverings during the COVID-19 pandemic until the face mask requirement is extended, rescinded or amended by the Decatur City Commission.

View the document at ordinance reinstating the requirement for individuals to wear masks and protective coverings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The pandemic continues, and the Delta variant has caused a new surge in cases in Georgia and in DeKalb County,” according to a Decatur city statement.

By county, Georgia’s daily report on COVID-19 cases may be viewed at dph.georgia.gov/covid-19-daily-status-report, showing DeKalb cases to be 103 per 100,000 over the last two weeks and counting back from Nov. 2.

Decatur city officials expect to achieve the comprehensive use of masks and facial coverings through voluntary compliance.

Free masks will be provided to individuals who need them, along with an explanation of the critical need for masks to be worn during the pandemic, the city statement added.

Verbal and written warnings will be given as necessary.

Except for limited exceptions, all persons entering a business, a store or a nonprofit that provides goods or services must wear a mask or facial covering while inside the establishment.

All employees must wear a mask or facial covering while having face-to-face interaction with the public.

For example, masks are required in outdoor dining areas.

Any establishment that does not consent to enforcement of this ordinance upon its property must post a clearly legible sign in one-inch Arial font at all public entrances, stating the following: “This establishment does not consent to enforcement of any local face covering requirement upon this property.”

Though not required for religious establishments, the use of masks and facial coverings is “highly recommended” during religious activities.

Decatur’s ordinance requires the wearing of masks or facial coverings in all outdoor public places where adequate social distancing cannot be maintained (that is, at least six feet away from others not in the same household).

Exceptions include:

• In personal vehicles.
• By children under the age of 10.
• While drinking or eating.
• During outdoor physical activity - provided the person maintains a minimum of six feet from others who are not part of the same household.
• When a licensed healthcare provider has determined that wearing a facial covering or mask causes or aggravates a health condition for the individual.
• When wearing a facial covering or mask would prevent the receipt of personal services.
• When complying with the directions of a law enforcement officer or for the purposes of verifying a person’s identity such as when purchasing alcohol, tobacco or prescription drugs or when engaging in a financial transaction.
• When the person has a bona fide religious objection to wearing a facial covering or mask.
• At any polling place and no individual shall be denied ingress or egress to or from a polling place for failure to wear a facial covering or mask.