Mask Mandates Banned in Georgia Schools

LAFAYETTE, Georgia (WDEF) – Yesterday, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed Senate Bill 514, which prohibits mask mandates in primary and secondary schools.

“No local board of education, governing board, superintendent, or personnel at any public school system or state chartered school can unilaterally impose a mask mandate on students without providing parents the choice to opt their child out,” said Kemp.

Parents who elect not to have their children wear masks do not have to provide any justification.

But in Walker County Schools, letting parents choose whether their kids wear one of these is nothing new.

“Throughout the pandemic, we strongly recommended masks for students and for staff members, but we did not have a requirement throughout that process,” said Damon Raines, Superintendent of Walker County Schools.

The bill is in effect until 2027, but can be be superseded by a state of emergency.

“If we have a health crisis — say, COVID goes way of the charts or something — he can override and say ‘there’s a public health emergency; wear a mask.’ He can do that,” said Mike Cameron, Georgia State Representative for District 1.

The Bill is titled the “Unmask Georgia Students Act,” but Republican lawmakers emphasize that students can still wear masks if they so choose.

“If you want your child to wear a mask, you’re welcome to do that. Any kind of protection you think your child needs — we’re not trying to take that right from you at all,” said Cameron.

And in Walker County, leadership claims that student safety remains a top priority.

“That became our number one priority over the probably past ten years with just the variety of things that were impacting schools,” said Raines.