Many businesses are now requiring customers to wear a face mask due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some people have questioned if businesses can refuse service to those who refuse to wear face masks. The simple answer is: “Yes”.
There is no statewide mask mandate in Georgia, but in neighboring Alabama, everyone is supposed to be wearing a face mask in public – with a few exceptions. Law enforcement in neighboring Cherokee County, Alabama isn’t excited about enforcing the mandate from Governor Kay Ivey, but they are still asking people to comply.
Here in Chattooga County, both Wal-Mart and Ingles Supermarket are requiring facemasks.
When it comes to a privately owned business, things are a bit different. According to a report from WSB in Atlanta (See story here ), requiring the use of a face mask by customers is within the rights of a particular business. Legal experts said it falls within the same boundaries of a business requiring customers to wear a shirt or shoes for service.
Attorney Davis Senseman says, “Unfortunately, there is a lot of misunderstanding about what rights we have and who we have them against….You can exercise your right by not shopping at that particular store.”
Comments
A rogue couple managed to enter a large store in Chattooga County without being told to put a mask on (possibly because the Health Ambassadir wasn’t outside when they entered), which neither one had as they walked through the store. It is required, not optional. And it was said that store employees can’t do anything about it. But that’s not true. They can escort them to customer service and get them a mask or they’ll have to leave the store. Customers wear a mask or shop somewhere else. If employees aren’t willing to bring attention to non-compliers, the store mandate is useless.