Mayor & Commission Unanimously Approves Ordinance Requiring Face Covers in Public Places as of July 9

At the Regular Session meeting on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, the Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission unanimously approved an ordinance declaring a fifth state of local emergency related to coronavirus COVID-19. The intent is to protect members of the public, including members of vulnerable populations and members of other populations at risk, from the transmission of COVID-19.

The declaration included a requirement for face coverings or masks to be worn in public places within Athens-Clarke County to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

The ordinance was signed by Mayor Kelly Girtz on July 8, 2020. The ordinance is in effect from 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 9, 2020 until the end of the day on Tuesday, August 4 unless extended, ended, or amended by the Mayor and Commission.

The ordinance also requires persons entering commercial establishments to wear face coverings or masks while inside. While the requirement does not apply to religious establishments, the use of face covers is highly recommended during religious activity.

All restaurants, retail stores, salons, grocery stores, and pharmacies must require their employees to wear a face cover while having face-to-face interaction with the public.

The ordinance does not require medical grade masks. Face coverings may be fashioned from scarves, bandanas, or other suitable fabrics and does include face shields. The mask must cover the mouth and nose of the wearer. Information about how to make cloth face coverings is available through the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCGov) COVID-19 website at www.accgov.com/coronavirus.

ACCGov has also obtained some reusable cloth face covers for public distribution through the Transit Department, at ACCGov public facilities, and through community partners such as the Clarke County School District food distribution pods, the Athens Community Council on Aging, and the Athens Free Clinic mobile COVID-19 testing unit. Additional cloth masks and community distribution for those who are unable to obtain or make their own is forthcoming.

Persons who are unable to safely wear a face covering due to age or an underlying health condition or who are unable to remove a face covering without the assistance of others are exempt from the ordinance.

Face coverings are not required:

in personal vehicles;
when a person is alone in enclosed spaces or only with other household members;
during outdoor physical activity when the active person maintains a minimum of six feet from other people with whom they do not cohabitate;
while eating, drinking, or smoking;
when wearing a face cover causes or aggravates a health condition;
when wearing a face cover would prevent receiving personal services, such as dental care;
for children ages 10 and younger.

Although education and voluntary compliance for public health are the primary goals of the ordinance, civil fines are potentially possible of not more than $25 for the first offense, $50 for the second offense, and $100 on the third and subsequent offenses, if necessary, for violations of sections of the ordinance.

The full ordinance, along with other COVID-19 information, local responses, and information about how to make face covers from materials at home, is available at www.accgov.com/coronavirus.

FAQs About the Face Cover Requirement

When does the ordinance go into effect? When does it end?
The ordinance is effective as of Thursday, July 9, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. It currently is scheduled to end at the end of the day on Tuesday, August 4, but may be extended or altered by the Mayor and Commission.

What is considered a facial covering or mask?
A device to cover the nose and mouth of a person to impede the spread of saliva or other fluids during speaking, coughing, sneezing or other intentional or involuntary action. Medical grade masks are not required. Face covers may be fashioned from scarves, bandanas, or other suitable fabrics and would include face shields. The mask must cover the mouth and nose of the wearer. Instructions for making a homemade cloth face cover is available at www.accgov.com/coronavirus.

What is considered a public place?
Any place other than an individual’s home and yard or a personal vehicle.

What about businesses and churches?

All persons entering a commercial establishment in Athens-Clarke County must wear a facial covering or mask while inside such establishment.
This requirement to wear a facial covering does not apply to religious establishments. However, the use of facial coverings is highly recommended during religious activity.
All restaurants, retail stores, salons, grocery stores, and pharmacies in Athens-Clarke County must require their employees to wear a facial covering or mask at all times while having face-to-face interaction with the public.

Are there any cases in which the wearing of a face cover is not required?

In personal vehicles
When a person is alone in enclosed spaces or only with other household members
During outdoor physical activity, provided the active person maintains a minimum of six feet from other people with whom they do not cohabitate at all times
While drinking, eating, or smoking
When wearing a facial covering or mask causes or aggravates a health condition
When wearing a facial covering or mask would prevent the receipt of personal services
When a person is ten (10) years of age or younger; and
Any person who is unable to safely wear a facial covering or mask due to age, an underlying health condition, or is unable to remove the facial covering or mask without the assistance of others is exempt from this Ordinance.

Does the mask-wearing section of the ordinance apply to other cities or state and federal property?
No. It does not apply within Winterville and Bogart or to any property, office, or facility of the Clarke County School District, the State of Georgia or its instrumentalities (including the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia and any affiliated association or foundation affiliated), or the United States of America or its instrumentalities.

Is there a penalty for not following the ordinance?
Yes, there is a civil fine that can be assessed for violating sections of the ordinance. However, education and voluntary compliance are the primary goals for public health.

What if I don't have a mask or can't afford one?
ACCGov has obtained some reusable cloth face covers for public distribution through the Transit Department, at ACCGov public facilities, and through community partners such as the Clarke County School District food distribution pods, the Athens Community Council on Aging, and the Athens Free Clinic mobile COVID-19 testing unit. Additional cloth masks and community distribution for those who are unable to obtain or make their own are forthcoming.

The full ordinance is available at www.accgov.com/coronavirus.

804 Positive Cases Confirmed in Athens-Clarke County, 15 Deaths

The state Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) case tracker (https://dph.georgia.gov/covid-19-daily-status-report) confirms 804 positive cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Athens-Clarke County with 15 deaths as of 3:00 p.m. on July 8.

These are cumulative cases total since February 25, 2020. For reference, numbers from the beginning of each month:

July 1 - 574
June 1 - 293
May 1 - 155
April 1 - 54
March 1 - 4

The Daily Status Report is now updated once daily at 3:00 p.m. to allow time to process and validate laboratory and case reports. If you view the data, please be sure to check the area showing the definitions of the information presented. Some, such as "hospitalizations," have different meanings than what may be expected.

The 15 people who have died were ages 60-98. Eleven of those deaths occurred at a long-term care facility during March and April. For a daily report on long-term health care facilities in the state, visit the Georgia Department of Community Health’s website at dch.georgia.gov.

Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions such as heart or lung disease or diabetes are at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 and should always consult their healthcare provider if they are sick.

Frequency of Updates

This coronavirus email / text update is sent at least twice a week during normal weeks, with other updates as necessary with important information.

Questions can still be directed to www.accgov.com/coronavirus, which will be updated regularly, the info line at 706-613-3333, or coronavirus@accgov.com.