Cobb County's Mask Mandate, COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Set To Expire

COBB COUNTY, GA — After two extensions and over two months of a state of emergency, Cobb County's COVID-19 emergency declaration will expire at midnight Tuesday, Cobb Chairwoman Lisa Cupid announced Tuesday afternoon.

The state of emergency, first declared in August, was extended twice over the last two months: once in September and once in October.

“Although the transmission levels of COVID-19 are still considered high, public health officials say they are declining along with the number of newly reported cases and the test positivity rate,” Cupid said in a news release. “One of my biggest concerns was the effect on our local hospitals, but WellStar reports low levels of COVID[-19] cases and they recently transitioned to 'green' status, meaning that beds are vacant and visitors are again allowed in the hospital.”

Although the declaration will sunset, Cupid said she still urges residents to get the COVID-19 vaccine, including children ages 5 to 11, who are now eligible for a lower-dosage Pfizer vaccine.

County Manager Jackie McMorris said she will also lift the mandate on mask-wearing in county government facilities when the declaration expires. Mask wearing will still be highly encouraged in county government buildings, for both staff and visitors, especially when near others.

This action does not affect the county's courthouse complexes that will still require masks under judicial order, Cobb spokesperson Ross Cavitt said Tuesday.

Related:

• Mask Mandate To Return In Cobb County Public Buildings
• COVID-19 State Of Emergency Declared In Cobb County
• Cobb Extends COVID-19 State Of Emergency
  
• COVID-19 State Of Emergency Extended In Cobb For 2nd Time