Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said that the state would not lock down or impose a statewide mask mandate despite rising numbers of COVID-19 hospitalizations across the state and the prominence of the delta variant. This comes days after the city of Savannah reinstated their mask mandate followed by Chatham County reinstating their mask mandate for county buildings. "As the first state in the country to reopen over a year ago, we’ve proven that Georgians know how to come together and protect themselves and their loved ones," Kemp said. "The data is clear. Thanks to efforts initiated under the Trump Administration, we have a medical miracle in multiple vaccines that protect from the virus and save lives. Nearly all new COVID hospitalizations in Georgia are among the unvaccinated," he continued.