The Fulton County Board of Commissioners announced today that it will reinstate the indoor mask mandate. Starting Thursday, August 5, 2021, all employees and those visiting Fulton County facilities will be required to wear mask indoors. Fulton County Chief Operating Officer Anna Roach advised the Board that Fulton County would return to requiring masks inside its facilities.

“Our goal is to ensure the safety of everyone that comes into this building and all Fulton County buildings,” said Fulton County Chairman Robb Pitts. “It is vital that this mask mandate be for those who are vaccinated as well as unvaccinated individuals especially since we all are still facing the threat of a contagious pandemic now known as the Delta variant.”

“Since the beginning of this global pandemic, it has been about protection,” said Roach. “We have always worked to follow CDC guidelines and those guidelines assure us that wearing a mask helps to stop the spread.”

Although breakthrough cases are possible but rare, the Board and Fulton County Officials are working to remain proactive when it comes to protecting workers and residents. COVID-19 cases have increased by 300% over the last three weeks. Hospitalization rates have also increased, and 99% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients are unvaccinated. More than 4.1 million vaccines have been administered throughout Georgia – 515,000 of those were issued in Fulton County. The County is implementing guidelines consistent with those currently recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

There are also adjustments for citizens visiting some Fulton County facilities. Fulton County senior centers have placed a pause on their reopening plan as a result of these issues. Libraries are limiting the number of patrons who can use a study room and will temporarily not take reservations for meeting room usage.

“We have been working since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to make sure that everyone in Fulton County are safe,” said Chairman Pitts. “In addition to offering testing and vaccinations, we know that this reinstatement of the mask mandate will further protect us all.”