Georgia Gov Drops Mask Lawsuit Against Atlanta, Will Issue Exec Order Banning Cities From Mask Mandates

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports:

Gov. Brian Kemp on Thursday withdrew his lawsuit challenging the city of Atlanta’s mask mandate and coronavirus restrictions, ending a legal feud between the Republican governor and the Democratic leader of the state’s capital city over how to contain the pandemic.

Kemp said he will instead sign an executive order Saturday that is expected to specify that local governments can’t order private businesses to require masks.

“Unfortunately, the mayor has made it clear that she will not agree to a settlement that safeguards the rights of private property owners in Georgia,” Kemp said. “Given this stalemate in negotiations, we will address this issue in the next executive order. We will continue to protect the lives and livelihoods of all Georgians.”

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Georgia governor Brian Kemp announced he will withdraw a lawsuit that sought to block Atlanta’s face mask mandates.https://t.co/SRvIuVBJlD

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