Kemp Says No To Statewide Order For Masks In Schools

ATLANTA- On Monday Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced that he would not be issuing a statewide mask order for students at Georgia's schools. The announcement comes just days after a viral photo surfaced at a Paulding County high school where several students and faculty members have since tested positive for COVID-19.

Kemp spoke at a public event at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta on Monday, where the Governor announced that he would not sign an order requiring persons at public schools in Georgia to wear a mask for face covering.

Kemp's announcement comes just days after a viral photo surfaced at North Paulding High School that showed large crowds of students walking the school's hallways, many not wearing face coverings. Since the photo was published and went viral globally, the school has shifted to online instruction after several students and faculty members tested positive for COVID-19.

As Kemp made the announcement he noted that he would leave the decision up to local superintendents because he believes things can be observed better on a local level and give the power to local superintendents to make the best decision for their local districts.

Governor Kemp has continued on the track to not encourage mask-wearing during the pandemic. Just weeks ago Kemp sued the City of Atlanta after Mayor Bottoms issued a mask requirement in Georgia's largest city. Kemp challenged the order by the city stating that the Mayor exceeded her power with the rule. The case was referred to mediation.

Locally students in Muscogee County will not be impacted by the mask mandate for the time being. Classes will begin in Muscogee County virtually for students as administrators watch the virus's impacts locally before resuming in-person classroom instruction. During the districts reopening plan, administrators announced that students would be required to wear masks in Muscogee County Schools.

As of Monday evening, Georgia reports 219,025 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the virus was first discovered in Georgia. Locally Muscogee County has seen 4,780 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 864 new cases being reported in the past two weeks.