In a special called meeting on Tuesday, Rome City Commissioners have unanimously passed a city-wide ordinance requiring face masks or coverings. This comes following the newest executive orders from Gov. Brian Kemp issued on November 30th that extend the current “Empowering A Healthy Georgia” order until December 15th, 2020.

Rome’s ordinance will incur civil penalties for violations starting with a warning for the first offense, a $25 fine for the second offense, and a $50 fine for any subsequent offenses. There are exceptions to this ordinance, and they include, personal vehicles or residential property, religious objections, while drinking or eating, medical reasons, when complying with the directions of a law enforcement officer, children under the age of 10, when outdoors and maintaining social distance from anyone, among others.

Business may also opt out, but a sign must be posted and legible that states. “This location does not consent to the enforcement of any local face-covering requirement upon this property”.

Currently Chattooga County does not have any additional mask mandates or ordinances.