Cobb Reporter

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has recently revealed his intention to propose legislation allowing parents to choose whether their children will wear masks while attending school.

The governor had previously issued an executive order in May 2021 prohibiting the implementation of mask mandates in all public schools, 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 in a press conference. "And, you know, that’s why I think we should just let parents decide whether their kids needs to be masked or not,"

Kemp, who has been a staunch opponent of statewide mask and vaccination mandates, said it is past time for schools to remove such regulations, adding that even Democratic governors are eliminating their mask mandates, Fox 5 Atlanta reported.

As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to fall following an initial spike in the omicron variant, a growing number of schools are allowing students to opt out of wearing masks within schools, Fox 5 Atlanta reported.

"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.

Georgia's seven-day average of PCR coronavirus tests that came back positive was 4,113 , the Georgia Department of Public Health reported on Feb. 9. This average is approximately a quarter of the average recorded during the peak of the omicron variant's surge.

This seven-day average, on the other hand, has 87 confirmed fatalities, the Georgia Department of Public Health reported. This number marks the highest level of deaths since Oct. 22, 2021.

Kemp is currently running for reelection in 2022, Fox 5 Atlanta reported. He faces competition from other Republicans in the primaries.