Mask Requirement Reinstated In Decatur City Limits

DECATUR, GA — Face masks are required in the city of Decatur once again following a Decatur City Commission vote Monday.

The city initially let its face mask ordinance expire June 21, and did not reinstate it until Monday's meeting. After the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its guidelines in late July to recommend everyone wear masks in crowded indoor spaces regardless of vaccination status, the city did not make changes, citing Decatur's vaccination rate as a reason.

But now, city commissioners unanimously approved an ordinance Monday requiring masks or protective coverings through at least Sept. 27 throughout the entire city — including stores, restaurants, banks and other establishments, according to the ordinance. The requirement could be extended, rescinded or amended by the city commission anytime.

However, establishments can opt out of enforcement of the ordinance on their property. If an establishment chooses to opt out of enforcement, there must be signage posted saying so, City Manager Andrea Arnold said during the meeting. Religious groups, as well as polling places and other exempt entities, do not have to require masks.

The city also added civil penalties of either $25 or $50 for not complying with the mask ordinance, but verbal and written warnings will be given first. Complementary masks will be provided to those who need them, "along with an explanation of the critical need for masks to be worn during the pandemic," according to a city news release.

Someone who does not comply with the ordinance after verbal and/or written warnings will be subject to a $25 fine on the first offense, and no more than $50 on the second offense and any subsequent offenses.

"Over the past few weeks, the delta variant — the highly-transmissible variant of COVID-19 — combined with the low vaccination rates within our overall region have resulted in new daily cases in DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties on par with the numbers that we were seeing with the last surge we were seeing in January. We're also seeing increased pressure on our local and regional hospital capacities," Arnold said, adding that DeKalb County is considered at high risk for COVID-19 transmission.

City commissioners also approved the following measures:

• $9 million in stormwater improvements for 11 projects over the next five years, as part of the implementation of the Stormwater Master Plan adopted by Decatur City Commission in December 2020. The project areas are Derrydown Way, Park Drive and Candler Street; North Decatur Road and Ferndale Avenue; Brower and McClean streets; Champlain and Seneca streets; Sycamore Drive and Fairview Street; Mimosa Drive and Mimosa Place; Lamont Drive; Wilton Drive and Plainview Street; Lockwood Terrace; and Sycamore Place/East Ponce de Leon Avenue.
• Updated development plans for the East Decatur Station project, which will include nearly 400 residential units, open green space and a grocery store.
• A $650,000, five-year program for invasive plant control and woodland restoration at Legacy Park. The city and Trees Atlanta will collaborate to implement the program, which includes 130 volunteer events.

Related: No Mask Mandate, New Speed Tables: Decatur City Commission