Bibb County passes COVID-19 mask mandates. Here’s what that means for Macon residents
Nearly a month after Macon’s first mask mandate resolution was vetoed by Bibb County Mayor Robert Reichert, commissioners passed two new mask mandates.
County leaders believe the mandates comply with Gov. Brian Kemp’s most recent executive order that loosened mask requirement restrictions placed on county and city governments.
One of the ordinances requires masks to be worn inside government buildings while the other requires masks to be worn in public.
“I think different municipalities across the state and the country just want to send a message to its citizens that we strongly support wearing a mask and that it helps save lives,” said Al Tillman, mayor pro tem, during the Committee of the Whole meeting Tuesday morning.
What are the exceptions for the mask mandate?
The first ordinance, which requires people to wear face coverings in public places when social distancing cannot be maintained, has several exceptions to comply with Kemp’s executive order.
Exceptions to wearing a mask include:
On residential property, such as a person’s home
In a personal vehicle or other enclosed space with only one person or people within the same household
For people with a “bona fide religious objection”
For people with a “bona fide medical reason”
While drinking eating or smoking
If wearing a mask would prevent a person from receiving a service, such as going to the dentist, or performing their job
When complying with a law enforcement officer
When removing the mask is necessary to verify a person’s identity, such as to purchase alcohol
For children under the age of 2
For people who have difficulty putting on or removing the mask without assistance
At any polling place
When outdoors and maintaining social distancing
When participating in an amateur or professional sporting event
Businesses or other private entities can choose to opt out of the mask mandate for their property by posting a sign on their establishment that says, “PUBLIC NOTICE THE OPERATOR OF THIS LOCATION DOES NOT CONSENT TO ENFORCING FACE COVERING ORDERS ON THIS PROPERTY.” A printable copy is included at the end of the ordinance.
If a person fails to comply with the ordinance, they must be given a warning and an opportunity to put on a face mask, go to a location where a mask is not required or explain which exception the person falls under, according to the ordinance.
After the warning, the first offense results in a fine not more than $25, and the second offense results in a fine not more than $50. Violations cannot be given to a business for its customers noncompliance with the ordinance, according to the ordinance.
How is the ordinance for county buildings different?
The ordinance to require face coverings in Macon-Bibb County buildings and vehicles has many of the same exceptions as the public places mandate, with some notable additions.
Face masks are not required in county buildings under these additional exceptions to the public places mandate:
If the county property is leased to a private entity that chooses to not require masks
If a constitutional officer or elected official chooses to not require masks in county properties or vehicles
If social distancing can be maintained
In any county vehicle if only occupied by one person
When an exception is authorized by the mayor or county manager
Members of the public will receive the same penalties as the first ordinance if they don’t wear a mask when required and can be subject to removal from the county property. County employees will be subject to disciplinary action, according to the ordinance.
Commission reaction
Although Commissioner Elaine Lucas said she was willing to support the ordinance, she said she preferred the previous resolution that was vetoed because it had stricter guidelines.
“I would’ve preferred the original one when we mandate that folks put on a mask because this waters it all down and gives so many exceptions,... but I think it’s better than nothing,” she said. “Y’all need to wear a mask everybody because you risk killing your children and your grandparents.”
Commissioner Mallory Jones proposed a substitute ordinance to the ordinance requiring masks in public spaces where social distancing cannot be maintained. The substitute ordinance took out the requirement to wear a mask and strongly recommended people to wear masks as well as promote other actions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, including washing hands regularly, social distancing and avoiding touching door handles or shared pens with bare hands.
“I think the mandate of the mask, I understand the good intention. I think it gives false security as to okay well, if we just wear a mask, we’re going to be fine, and we won’t get COVID and that’s just not so,” Jones said. “By strongly recommending it, I think the public is, for the most part, wise enough to do that.”
Commissioner Valerie Wynn seconded Jones’ substitute ordinance because she said she did not want to mandate people to wear a mask if they didn’t agree with it.
The substitute ordinance was voted down in the Committee of the Whole meeting, and the original ordinance was passed with only Jones and Wynn voting no in the special called meeting. Bert Bivins and Scotty Shepherd were not in attendance.
This ordinance has a threshold requirement of 100 cases per 100,000 people for a 14 day period. Macon-Bibb County had 597.4 cases per 100,000 people for a 14 day period as of Aug. 17, according to the ordinance. The ordinance will expire when the Georgia Public Health Emergency ends.
The ordinance to require masks for entrance into county property was passed unanimously by the commissioners. Although this ordinance does not have a threshold requirement, it is linked to the Georgia Public Health Emergency and will expire at the same time.
The decision was made Tuesday at a special called meeting after the commission’s committee meetings.
This story was originally published August 25, 2020 at 1:48 PM.