HOUSTON – Gov. Greg Abbott signed an executive order Thursday requiring all Texans to wear masks or face coverings in public places and in businesses. There are few exceptions to the order that came as Texas continues to see swelling coronavirus numbers.
There were nearly 8,000 new cases reported in the state as of Thursday evening, bringing the state total to 175,9777 cases. The state is at a 13.32% positivity rate, according to the Texas Department of Health and Human Services and as of Thursday afternoon, 7,382 people were hospitalized with the virus which is a record high.
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Here’s a break down of all the things you need to know about the order:
When does it go into effect?
While Abbott signed the order Thursday afternoon, it is set to go into effect at noon on Friday, July 3.
Do I need to wear a mask when I am outside?
Yes. Under the order, if you’re outdoors and near other people, you’re required to wear a mask. The exceptions to this rule are if you are eating or drinking or if you’re seated in a restaurant. If you’re exercising or engaging in physical activities outdoors, so long as you’re maintaining safe social distancing from other people who aren’t a part of your household, you don’t have to wear a mask.
In fact, the order also requires drivers to wear masks if they have other people in their car who are not a member of their household. This would apply to Uber, Lyft and other rideshare drivers.
What if I refuse to comply with the order?
Local law enforcement and officials “can and should enforce this executive order,” when appropriate, the order states. They are also expected to enforce any other statewide executive orders and local orders that are consistent with Abbott’s orders.
If someone is found not wearing a mask or face covering in violation of the order:
- A first-time violator will get a verbal or written warning
- For a second offense, the person could face a fine not exceeding $250
- With each subsequent violation, the person will face a fine of upto $250
Read more about the penalties and enforcement of the governor’s mask order here.
Are there any exceptions to the order?
- Children under the age of 10
- Any person with a medical condition or disability that prevents wearing a face covering
- Any person consuming food or drink or is seated at a restaurant to eat or drink
- Any person that is exercising or engaging in physical activities outdoors and is maintaining safe social distancing from people who are not part of their household
- Any person who is driving alone or with passengers who are in the same household as the driver
- Any person obtaining a service that requires temporary removal of the covering during security surveillance, screening or need for specific access to the face (like while visiting a bank or obtaining personal care involving the face).
- Any person in a pool, lake or similar body of water
- Any person who is voting, assisting a voter, serving as a poll watcher or actively administering an election (but wearing a mask is strongly encouraged)
- Any person who is actively providing access to religious worship (but wearing a mask is strongly encouraged)
- Any person while the person is giving a speech for broadcast or to an audience
- Any person who meets the criteria laid out by the Texas Division of Emergency Management regarding minimal cases of COVID-19 and whose county judge has opted out of the face-covering requirement (but wearing a mask is strongly encouraged)
Are protesters exempt from this order?
No. In fact, the order specifically reads:
“Not excepted from this face-covering requirement is any person attending a protest or demonstration involving more than 10 people and who is not practicing safe social distancing of six feet from other people not in the same household.”
Are there any counties that are exempt from the order?
Abbott’s order does allow Texans who live in counties with fewer than 20 active coronavirus cases to be exempt from the order. Per the order, the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) has to keep a list of counties that are exempt from the mask order. However, immediately after the executive order was announced Thursday, that list was blank.
Officials with TDEM told KPRC 2 Thursday that in order for a county to be exempt from the order, the county judge must submit an application to TDEM “affirmatively opting out of the face-covering requirements of (executive order) GA-29.”
Read more about how a county can be added to the list of exemptions here.
Can I read the order for myself?
Yes. You can read the order here.