July 2, 2020
Governor orders face masks in counties with 20+ CoViD cases
By Jessica Nohealapa'ahi Goode
The Bandera Prophet
Governor Greg Abbott today issued an executive order requiring all Texans to wear a face mask in public places in counties where 20 or more positive CoViD-19 cases are active. The new order will take effect at 12:01 p.m. on Friday, July 3.
County judges individually have the authority to opt out of the mask requirement by filing an attestation form. Judge Richard Evans has reportedly filed the form; Bandera County currently has nine active cases, 13 recovered and seven pending investigation.
There are some exceptions to the order, including any person younger than 10 years old; any person with a medical condition or disability that prevents wearing a face covering; any person seated at a restaurant to eat or drink; any person exercising outdoors or engaging in physical activity outdoors; any person driving alone or with passengers who are part of the same household; any person obtaining a service that requires temporary removal of the face covering for security surveillance, screening or a need for specific access to the face, such as while visiting a bank or while obtaining a personal care service involving the face; any person in a swimming 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; any person who is actively providing or obtaining access to religious worship; or any person while the person is giving a speech for a broadcast or to an audience.
A verbal or written warning may be given for a first-time violator, a second violation shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed $250. Each subsequent violation shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed $250 per violation.
County judges individually have the authority to opt out of the mask requirement by filing an attestation form. Judge Richard Evans has reportedly filed the form; Bandera County currently has nine active cases, 13 recovered and seven pending investigation.
There are some exceptions to the order, including any person younger than 10 years old; any person with a medical condition or disability that prevents wearing a face covering; any person seated at a restaurant to eat or drink; any person exercising outdoors or engaging in physical activity outdoors; any person driving alone or with passengers who are part of the same household; any person obtaining a service that requires temporary removal of the face covering for security surveillance, screening or a need for specific access to the face, such as while visiting a bank or while obtaining a personal care service involving the face; any person in a swimming 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; any person who is actively providing or obtaining access to religious worship; or any person while the person is giving a speech for a broadcast or to an audience.
A verbal or written warning may be given for a first-time violator, a second violation shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed $250. Each subsequent violation shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed $250 per violation.