On Saturday, July 25, DeKalb County Police, Fire Rescue, and Code Enforcement personnel began to distribute masks to small businesses throughout the county to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
As part of its ongoing “Stop the Spread” campaign, DeKalb County began distributing 20,000 masks to local small businesses to encourage them to implement a “No Mask, No Service” policy. Participating businesses also received a “No Mask, No Service” sign to post informing patrons of business owners’ participation in the campaign.
This effort began on July 25, the day the county’s mask mandate goes into effect requiring DeKalb residents over age eight years old “to utilize a face covering or mask which covers the nose and mouth when in any public place.”
“Guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that wearing face coverings or masks, maintaining social distance and washing our hands frequently are the best ways to protect ourselves and others,” said Michael Thurmond, CEO of Dekalb County. “By providing masks to businesses that enforce a “No Mask, No Service” policy, we are providing them with the tools needed to promote a safe and healthy environment for their employees, customers, and the general public.”
The county’s mask ordinance was originally passed by the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners on July 14, with amendments made by Thurmond and approved on July 21.
The amended ordinance, which Thurmond has asserted is “consistent” with Gov. Brian Kemp’s executive order, requires DeKalb residents over age eight “to utilize a face covering or mask which covers the nose and mouth when in any public place.”
“We must do everything within our authority to stop the spread of this deadly virus,” Thurmond said. “According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, wearing face coverings or masks, maintaining social distance, and washing our hands frequently are the best ways to protect ourselves and the general public.”
The ordinance emphasizes the importance of community education and outreach. A written warning will be given for first violations.
Those who violate the ordinance a second time will be required to attend a virtual or in-person COVID-19 prevention class “to understand the public health ramifications of this crisis and appropriate public health responses to mitigate the spread of this disease.”
Many of the nation’s largest retail, grocery, and big-box stores, including Walmart, The Home Depot, Kroger, Costco, CVS, Target, Apple Store, Best Buy, Dollar Tree, Publix, Verizon, AT&T, Kohl’s and Starbucks, have instituted policies requiring both employees and customers to wear masks.
Businesses can request masks by emailing stopthespread@dekalbcountyga.gov.
