Beginning the week of Monday, August 30, employees with the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, Public Works Department, and Parks & Beautification Department will have face masks in their vehicles to give people who are not wearing one. Nearly 25,000 face masks are being put in about 500 vehicles to be distributed to the public for free as part of Macon-Bibb’s effort to get people to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect Middle Georgia.

“We already knew people should be wearing masks to help protect our community, so we made sure we could help everyone have access to them,” says EMA Director Spencer Hawkins. “Now that people are required to wear them in public and in our government facilities, we are expanding that distribution to reach more people.”

“Our deputies will be offering these free masks to anyone they see without one, especially now that wearing them is required. Our goal, though, is to make sure people remain healthy, and we would rather give them what they need than write a ticket,” says Bibb County Sheriff David Davis.

This mask distribution is in addition to the one that has been occurring at all 10 recreation centers. In three weeks, more than 60,564 free masks and 44,492 free gloves have been distributed, and another 26,000 masks and 16,000 gloves will be available the week of August 30. People can visit any of the recreation centers listed below Monday – Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (or until supplies run out) to pick up 10 masks and five pairs of gloves.

“Our department isn’t just a set of facilities and fields…the focus of all we do is improving the health and wellness of our community,” says Recreation Director Robert Walker. “Being able to provide thousands of people with the masks and gloves that could keep them and their families safe is how we can best support our community and protect Middle Georgia.”

Recreation Centers

• Delores A. Brooks Recreation Center (3326 Ocmulgee East Boulevard)
• Elaine H. Lucas Senior Center (132 Willie Smokie Glover Drive)
• Frank Johnson Recreation Center (2227 Mercer University Drive)
• Freedom Park (3301 Roff Avenue)
• Gilead/Bloomfield Recreation Center (1931 Rocky Creek Road)
• L.H. Williams Recreation Center (325 Pursley Street)
• Memorial Gym (763 Long Street)
• Rosa Jackson Recreation Center (1211 Maynard Street)
• South Bibb Recreation Center (7035 Houston Road)
• Theron Ussery Recreation Center (815 North Macon Park Drive)

About the Mask Mandate

At a Special Called Meeting on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, the Macon-Bibb County Commission approved two mandates requiring people to wear face masks or coverings when in public and in government facilities and vehicles, both when social distancing cannot be maintained. Both were passed in an ongoing effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect Middle Georgia.

One requires people to wear a face mask or covering when in public places and a good social distance of six feet from other people who do not share the same household, cannot be maintained. The other states no employee nor member of the public shall be admitted to any county property or to use a county vehicle unless he or she is wearing a face covering or mask.

In addition to requiring face masks or coverings in public and in government facilities to help protect Middle Georgia and slow the spread of COVID-19, officials are asking people to follow ALL guidelines from the CDC guidelines, including:

• Monitor your health daily and get tested if you show symptoms or believe you’ve come in contact with someone who has tested positive;
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds;
• Avoid close contact with people, meaning at least six feet away;
• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze; and
• Clean and disinfect surfaces.

Both Ordinances outline exceptions, and businesses and organizations can also opt out of this mandate by posting the appropriate signage, an example of which is included with the Ordinance. To read in what situations masks are not required, read the penalties for people not complying with the Ordinances, and print off the opt-out signage, click here. Even in places opting out of the mandate, the public is still strongly encouraged to wear face masks as a precautionary measure.