Georgia Governor Backs Out of Hearing on Atlanta Mask Order

Georgia Governor Backs Out of Hearing on Atlanta Mask Order
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp returns to his office after giving a coronavirus briefing at the Capitol in Atlanta, Ga., on July 17, 2020. John Bazemore/ File/AP Photo
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ATLANTA—Georgia’s governor has withdrawn a request for an emergency hearing in a lawsuit that aims to block the state’s largest city from ordering people to wear masks in public or imposing other restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gov. Brian Kemp earlier this month sued Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and the City Council. The Republican governor argues local leaders cannot impose measures that are more or less restrictive than those in his executive orders.