ATL Standard

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has recently announced his plan to introduce legislation that would let parents choose whether their children wear masks to school.

Kemp, a vocal opponent of statewide mask and immunization requirements, believes it is past time for schools to eliminate such rules. He noted that even Democratic governors are doing so, Fox 5 Atlanta reported.

"It is my belief that parents have the tools that they need to best take care of their children," Kemp said. "And, you know, that’s why I think we should just let parents decide whether their kids needs to be masked or not."

The governor issued an executive order in May 2021 barring the enforcement of mask mandates in all public schools, Fox 5 Atlanta reported. Kemp said his office is now working on legislation that will be introduced in the near future.

"I'm still a local control guy. But you know, our cases, if you look at the way our cases are right now, they are beyond on the path downward," Kemp said.

As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to decline following an initial rise of the omicron variant, an increasing number of schools are allowing kids to opt out of wearing masks in school facilities, Fox 5 Atlanta reported.

The state's seven-day average of positive PCR tests for coronavirus was 4,113, the Georgia Department of Public Health reported on Feb. 9. This average is just over a quarter of the average seen at the omicron variant's peak.

This seven-day average, however, includes 87 confirmed deaths, the most since Oct. 22, 2021, the Georgia Department of Public Health reported.

Kemp is currently campaigning for reelection in 2022, where he will face other Republican challengers, Fox 5 Atlanta reported.