Brian Kemp is suing Atlanta’s mayor and city council to block the city from enforcing its mandate to wear a mask in public and other rules related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Kemp on Wednesday clarified his executive orders to expressly block Atlanta and at least 14 other local governments across the state from requiring people to wear face coverings. Kemp’s order was met with defiance Thursday by Bottoms and some other mayors, who said they would continue enforcing the order. In filing the lawsuit, Kemp combined a previous dispute with Bottoms over policing in the city with coronavirus control. Georgia Restaurant Association Executive Director Kelly Bremer said Thursday that a statewide mandate isn’t appropriate considering Georgia’s size and diversity.

Source: Huffington Post July 17, 2020 00:33 UTC