Georgia Prohibits Local Officials From Ordering COVID-19 Vaccine, Mask Mandates

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp speaks at a news conference about the state's new Election Integrity Law that passed this week at AJ’s Famous Seafood and Poboys in Marietta, Ga., on April 10, 2021. Megan Varner/Getty Images

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Thursday signed an executive order that prohibits local governments from ordering businesses to adopt mask or COVID-19 vaccine mandates, saying the measure is necessary to “protect” private businesses.

The executive order bars local officials from mandating the orders, but allows private businesses to require masks or vaccines, Kemp told reporters during a press conference.