Mask mandate in effect for Albany residents
ALBANY, Ga. – After nearly four hours of discussion with Albany residents and between commissioners, the mask mandate has passed in Albany.
Commissioners Jon Howard, Bob Langstaff Jr. and Demetrius Young voted in favor of the ordinance and Commissioners Matt Fuller, BJ Fletcher and Chad Warbington voted no.
Within the ordinance, residents can get a citation or fine if there’s failure to comply after receiving a warning. After a warning, there can be a $25 fine for a first offense but not more than a $50 fine for a second or subsequent offenses.
It’s important to not that the mandate does not apply when outdoors and maintaining social distancing. As long as you’re six feet away, masks are not required.
Ahead of the commissioners meeting Thursday afternoon, people gathered in front of the government building to protest the ordinance.
The protesters weren’t against wearing masks but they were against being “forced to wear one.”
“We’re not opposed to wearing masks at all, we’re perfectly fine with individuals choosing to wear a mask but when the government mandates it, it creates all kinds of issues about where you can, where you cant, who can, who cant and we think that’s just unnecessary,” said Albany resident Mark Meagher.
Other protesters said they felt like the ordinance went against their religious beliefs.
“We don’t need our local government having medical tyranny and forcing people to do something. I’m a christian so my god given right is to let the germs come in, that’s how my body makes antibodies,” said protester Leighanne Bjerregaard.
