Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Nicole Hendrickson has signed a local emergency order requiring masks to be worn in all facilities that are owned or leased by the county.
According to a press release issued by Gwinnett County Friday afternoon, the recent surge in COVID-19 cases has significantly impacted the county government.
“As an employer, Gwinnett County has experienced a significant amount of employee absenteeism due to the spread of COVID-19 and its variants,” Hendrickson said in a prepared statement. “Because we want to be proactive and keep essential services running without interruption to our residents, business owners and customers, we will follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Georgia Department of Public Health and take measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 for the safety of those who visit our facilities and work in them as well.”
County employees who cannot afford a face mask will be provided one by the county.
There are several exceptions to the mandate. Specifically, masks will not be required for those who have difficulty donning or removing a mask without help, those who have a valid religious reason and those who have a valid medical condition that prevents them from wearing a mask.
Additionally, the mask mandate does not apply to privately owned businesses, Gwinnett County court facilities, the Gwinnett County Board of Education and city governments.
The order is effective from Jan. 10 through Jan. 26.
