More metro Atlanta cities now issuing mask mandates

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Both Smyrna and Sandy Springs are requiring residents to wear masks in public to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus

This comes after Governor Brian Kemp issued a new executive order last week giving counties and municipalities the ability enforce a mask mandate but only on government property.

Now we're seeing which ones make the change.

For weeks, Kemp refused to allow local governments to enforce their own mask mandates.

RELATED STORIES:

• Governor sues Atlanta mayor, city council over mask mandate
• Mayor rolls back Atlanta’s reopening plan from Phase 2 to Phase 1
• Mayor Bottoms says Gov. Kemp is trying to block her from talking to the press
• Judge orders Atlanta mayor, governor into mediation over mask mandate

Cities still can’t enforce them on private property without the property owners’ consent.

Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul signed an order on Tuesday which took effect immediately.

Smyrna Mayor Derek Norton signed a similar order the same day requiring face coverings in businesses and offices where owners want customers to wear them. It also requires you to wear masks on city property when you can't socially distance.

Smyrna’s new face mask rules start this Friday.

Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz says they don’t need to reissue a new mask mandate, but will have to tweak the existing one.

“I think our mask mandate is largely going to remain as it has been and obviously there are some nuances in the governors order that are going to mean were going to have to make some minor modifications. Including changing the fine amounts,” Girtz said.

Metro cities working on new mask mandates following governor's latest executive order The mayor of the city of South Fulton said he will encourage private businesses to put mandates in place.

Cox Media Group