Decatur City Commission Reinstates Mandatory Mask Ordinance

Update: At its special called meeting, Wednesday, March 2, the Decatur City Commission voted to allow the Face Cover ordinance requiring individuals to wear masks and protective coverings during the COVID-19 pandemic to expire. This Ordinance will expire at 11:59 p.m. on March 2, 2022.

At its regular meeting, Monday, Aug. 16, the Decatur City Commission approved an ordinance reinstating the requirement for individuals to wear masks and protective coverings during the COVID-19 pandemic. This Ordinance is effective at 8 a.m. on August 17, 2021 and will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. on September 27, 2021, or until it is extended, rescinded, or amended by ordinance of the City Commission. 

The purpose of the ordinance is to help prevent infection by reducing the community spread of COVID-19. The pandemic continues and the Delta variant has caused a new surge in cases in Georgia and in DeKalb County.

The City expects to achieve the comprehensive use of masks and facial coverings through voluntary compliance. Complimentary 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. Verbal and written warnings will be given as necessary.  However, there are civil penalties provided for in the ordinance, starting at limits of $25 for the first offense, $50 for the second offense and any subsequent offenses.

This is a summary of the ordinance’s requirements:

Except for limited exceptions, all persons entering a business, a store or a non-profit 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.  

Typical places where masks are required are:

  • Restaurants, including indoor and outdoor dining areas.
  • Retail shops and stores, grocery and drug stores
  • Auto dealerships and repair shops, furniture and department stores.
  • Banks, credit unions, and other financial establishments.
  • Barbershops, beauty shops, spas, fitness centers, health clubs, gyms, cleaners and laundromats.
  • Convenience stores, service stations, amusement and entertainment establishments.
  • Lobbies and common areas of commercial, retail and office buildings.
  • Lobbies and common areas of public buildings and structures.

Exceptions include the following:

  • In personal vehicles.
  • By children under the age of 10.
  • While drinking or eating.
  • During outdoor physical activity, provided the active person maintains a minimum of six (6) 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.

Any establishment that does not consent to enforcement of this Ordinance upon its property shall post a clearly legible sign in one inch Arial font at all public entrances of such entity 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 (i.e., at least six feet away from others not in the same household).