Georgia Governor Brian Kemp recently issued an Executive Order that, among other things, suspends local mask mandates.

Monday, the Rome City Commission joined other municipalities in Georgia such as Atlanta, Athens, and Savannah, by passing an Emergency Order requiring facial coverings In public when social distancing is not possible.

Governor Kemp’s order, signed Wednesday, strongly encourages wearing masks but states:

“State, county, or municipal law, order, ordinance, rule, or regulation that requires persons to wear face coverings, masks, face shields, or any other Personal Protective Equipment while in places of public accommodation or on public property are suspended to the extent that they are more restrictive than this Executive Order.”

The order also extends the gatherings ban of more than 50 people, and it renews business restrictions, while seeking to protect the medically fragile.

(WRGA/www.wrgarome.com)