Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is taking steps to fight the growing number of COVID-19 cases in her city by reinstating the citywide indoor mask order.
The City of Atlanta tweeted the update Tuesday afternoon, one day after Bottoms held a press conference, where she discussed possibly putting the mandate back into effect.
“The order is in response to the rising number of COVID-19 infections and the impact of the Omicron variant,” the tweet read.
The order states that anyone in a public space, including private businesses, must wear a face covering while indoors. Violators will be issued a warning by a city officer. However, if they continue to disobey the order, they may be subjected to a $50 fine.
This comes as many businesses in Atlanta have closed their doors temporarily due to a rising number of infections. Many restaurants, such as Ticonderoga Club, are shut down across the city during a crucial time of year.
“It’s a difficult time of year to make that decision because this is one of the most profitable times of the year for a restaurant,” said Karen Bremer, president of Georgia Restaurant Association.
Atlanta has seen over 4,000 new COVID-19 cases in the past two weeks. On Monday night, mayor-elect Andre Dickens revealed that he tested positive for the virus and was experiencing mild symptoms.
