Mayor Bottoms says city mask mandate stands despite governor’s order; not afraid of possible state lawsuit

Atlanta Intown ^ | 7/16/20 | Collin Kelley

[madprof98]

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said Atlanta’s mask mandate would stand despite Gov. Brian Kemp’s executive order voiding local face covering requirements.

“My belief is that the city still has appropriate standing to mandate masks,” Bottoms said during a streamed press conference on July 16 to give an update on the city’s COVID-19 response.

Bottoms said she found it “quite interesting” that Kemp decided to void city and county mask mandates after Atlanta implemented one, since other cities have had them in place for weeks.

The mayor also linked Kemp’s decision to President Donald Trump’s visit to the UPS hub at the airport on July 15 to announce new transportation infrastructure projects. The city’s mask requirement also includes Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and Trump was criticized for not wearing a mask during his visit. Bottoms told CNN last night that Trump broke city law.

***

Bottoms also thanked New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo for donating 7,500 coronavirus test kits, 30,000 pieces of Personal Protective Equipment, and 1,250 gallons of hand sanitizer to Atlanta.

[newzjunkey]

He's not her boss and Kemp has no standing to tell local jurisdictions to order localities to be less strict on their guidance in a pandemic. If KLB thinks Atlantans need to be wearing masks, then I support her LOCAL CONTROL.

What ever happened to that conservative principle?

[higgmeister]

Funny you should mentioned that. Look at the post eleven right before yours.

[Tax-chick]

I agree. It is the business of Atlanta residents to deal with Atlanta government.

[GAHeel]

pursuant to the Governor’s executive emergency Order (and the GA Code) Kemp is well within his power. He will eventually win in court(and she knows it)—even if he has to appeal to the GA Supreme Court.