MACON, Ga. — As cities and counties across the state put mask ordinances in place, Central Georgia governments are also taking a look at their best options.
On Tuesday, three local governments met to discuss the possibility of a mask mandate, even here in Macon Bibb County.
On Saturday, Governor Brian Kemp signed a new executive order giving local governments the power to put mask mandates in place if necessary.
"I am just ecstatic that the governor has finally gotten to a point where, and whatever the reason, he's there," said Commissioner Elaine Lucas, "Not just in Macon-Bibb, but you're gonna see many many other cities and counties enact a mandatory mask ordinance because it works."
Lucas has been a supporter of a mandatory mask ordinance from the beginning. She says she's hoping the commission will vote in favor of it now that Governor Kemp has cleared the way.
"I think it's time now for us to make that statement again that the wearing of face coverings is an important part of our recovery from this virus," Lucas said.
In Baldwin County, the commission voted to reinstate the mask mandates in county buildings, but the county-wide ordinance was denied. For the city of Milledgeville, the council decided to wait until next Tuesday's meeting to vote.
"We have a lot of college students here in our area in Milledgeville, so we just want to make sure everybody's safe," said Mayor Mary Parham-Copelan.
With the county's vote, if the city passes a mandate, it can only be enforced in the city limits. Parham-Copelan says they'll make it happen.
"How do we find a way? We make a way, and making a way comes from a lot of different things," Parham-Copelan said.
Macon Mayor Robert Reichert says they'll be having a special meeting next Tuesday to vote on a mask mandate. The meeting will be at 1 p.m.