Georgia state lawmaker removed from House chamber after refusing Covid test

"The member in question had been advised numerous times about the requirements and had refused to be tested," the House speaker said.

Jan. 26, 2021, 1:54 PM CST
By Minyvonne Burke

A Georgia state lawmaker said his refusal to take a Covid-19 test got him kicked out of the House chambers on Tuesday.
But Georgia House Speaker David Ralston said the lawmaker, Rep. David Clark, has repeatedly refused to follow House policy which states that all members and staff be tested for the coronavirus twice a week.

"The member in question had been advised numerous times about the requirements and had refused to be tested at any point during this session," Ralston's office said in a statement on Twitter.

"The member refused to leave of his/her own accord. As such, under the authority granted to the Speaker by House Rules, the member was escorted out of the Chamber by a member of the Georgia Department of Public Safety."

Clark, a Republican, said in an emailed statement Tuesday that he arrived at the chamber ready to follow the required protocols by wearing a mask, social distancing and having his temperature taken.

More:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/georgia-state-lawmaker-removed-house-chamber-after-refusing-covid-test-n1255700?cid=referral_taboolafeed