Georgia Governor Brian Kemp sued Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and members of the City Council Thursday amid efforts to masks mandates and enforce social distancing measures during the coronavirus pandemic. The lawsuit occurs when Atlanta has seen an increase in COVID-19 cases.
There were 3,441 new coronavirus cases reported in Georgia on Thursday, according to the state health department, as well as 13 deaths and 244 hospitalizations.
The governor said the city’s recent executive orders “were more restrictive than his” and Bottoms “exceeded his authority.” Kemp tweeted that the lawsuit “is on behalf of Atlanta business owners and their hardworking employees who are struggling to survive during these difficult times.”
“These men and women are doing their best to put food on the table for their families as local elected officials close businesses and undermine economic growth,” Kemp tweeted. “… I refuse to sit back and watch disastrous policies threaten the lives and livelihoods of our citizens. We will fight to stop these reckless actions and subject people to pandemic politics.”
In the lawsuit, Kemp claims that Bottoms’ recent orders create “ambiguity and uncertainty for citizens and businesses” in Atlanta. The lawsuit also said that some restaurants have closed in the belief that doing so “is necessary to avoid enforcement actions by the City.”
Enforcing the mask and social distancing restrictions, according to the lawsuit, will cause people to “suffer immediate and irreparable damage.” Kemp’s lawsuit also notes that the City Council “does not have the power” to pass ordinances that are contrary to his orders.
Georgia Attorney General Carr tweeted that the lawsuit is “about the rule of law.”
“The Constitution grants @GovKemp the chief executive power for the state, even during a state of public health emergency. @CityofAtlanta cannot knowingly continue to enter orders that are unenforceable and void,” Carr tweeted.
Kemp on Wednesday explicitly prohibited Georgia’s cities and counties mandate people to wear face masks in public places, despite the growing coronavirus infections in the state. At least 15 local governments in the state, including Atlanta, Augusta and the hometown of the Athens-Clarke County Governor, have enforced a mask mandate after Kemp focused on encouraging people to wear masks voluntarily.
Kemp has banned the gatherings of more than 50 people and has issued a state of emergency until at least August 11.
Under the mandate of the Mayor of Atlanta, everyone within the jurisdiction of Atlanta and Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, other than those who are explicitly excused, including children under the age of 10, must wear a mask or mask to cover themselves. in public. The order also prohibits gatherings of more than 10 people at Atlanta properties, which does not include private businesses or establishments.
According to Georgia health officials, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties account for more than a quarter of the state’s coronavirus cases. There have been more than 33,800 cases in the three counties, which are part of the Atlanta metropolitan area.
The funds recently tested positive for the coronavirus itself.
“My family and I are among the 106,000 who tested positive for COVID-19. Meanwhile, @GovKemp sued me for a mask mandate. A better use of taxpayer money would be to expand testing and contact tracking.” tweeted Thursday.
In another tweet, she noted that the mandate for which Kemp is suing her are “RECOMMENDED guidelines” as part of the city’s Phase One reopening plans.
On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control asked the country to wear masksAs studies show, they help prevent the spread of COVID-19, which has killed more than 138,000 people in the U.S. alone, according to Johns Hopkins.
“We are not defenseless against COVID-19,” CDC Director Dr. Robert R. Redfield said in a press release. “Cloth face liners are one of the most powerful weapons we have to slow and stop the spread of the virus, particularly when used universally in a community setting. All Americans have a responsibility to protect themselves, their families and their communities. “
.
