Mayor Van Johnson new order making masks mandatory in Savannah

ByWTOC Staff|June 30, 2020 at 8:30 AM EDT - Updated June 30 at 11:16 AM

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Savannah Mayor Van Johnson gave his weekly COVID-19 update on Tuesday.

During this week’s update, Mayor Johnson said he sent a letter to Governor Brian Kemp to notify him that he’s signing an emergency order requiring wearing masks in public spaces. The emergency order goes into effect Wednesday, July 1 at 8 a.m.

The order will be taken up, approved, or modified at the next council meeting. All persons entering a commercial establishment in the city must wear a face covering or mask while inside the establishment. It does not apply to religious establishments in the city.

All restaurants, retail stores, salons, grocery stores, and pharmacies must require employees to wear a face-covering at all times while having face-to-face interactions with the public.

Face coverings are not required when eating, drinking, or smoking. Face coverings are not required for anyone 10 years old and younger. Face masks are not required during outdoor physical activity provided the active person maintains a minimum of six feet from other people with whom they do not cohabitate with at all times.

Violators will be fined $500. The mayor says the purpose of this order is “compliance, not punishment,” and, “Before we cite you, we will offer you a face covering.”

Rewatch the mayor’s entire update:

Mayor Johnson says the emergency order requiring face coverings will be in effect until further notice.

Photo: WTOC


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