Georgia’s governor just stopped cities and towns from mandating masks for people

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has issued a new executive order that will stop local governments from enforcing mandates for face masks and face coverings.

What happened:

• The decision will void the mandates issued from at least 15 local governments in the state, according to The Associated Press.
• Kemp’s order says residents and visitors of the state are “strongly encouraged to wear face coverings as practicable” unless they are eating, drinking or exercising outside.
• Local orders are “unenforceable,” said Candice Broce, a spokesperson for Kemp, according to The Hill.
• “Previous executive orders — and now this order — state no local action can be more or less restrictive than ours. We have explained that local mask mandates are unenforceable. The Governor continues to strongly encourage Georgians to wear masks in public,” Broce tweeted. 

Why it matters

• The Georgia decision come as other states across the country consider face mask mandates to help stop the spread of the novel coronavirus. For example, Alabama recently issued a mandatory order on Wednesday, per AL.com. Utah has yet to order a face mask mandate for the entire state.