Governor issues statewide mask mandate Friday

As COVID-19 cases continue to soar in Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order Thursday that went into effect at noon Friday, which requires the wearing of face covering that covers your nose and mouth when in the public. The order includes some exceptions.

“Every person in Texas shall wear a face covering over the nose and mouth when inside a commercial entity or other building or space open to the public, or when in an outdoor public space, wherever it is not feasible to maintain six feet of social distancing from another person not in the same household.”

The face-covering requirement does not apply to 1. any person under 10-years-old; persons with a medical condition or disability that prevents wearing a face covering; any person while consuming food or drink, or is seated at a restaurant to eat or drink; any person exercising outdoors or engaging in physical activity outdoors and maintaining a safe distance from other people not in the same household; 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 any person while in a swimming pool, lake or similar body of water; or any person who is voting, assisting a voter, serving as a poll watcher, or actively administering an election.

Face coverings are not required in counties with less than 20 cases of COVID-19.

As Texas reopens in the midst of COVID-109, increased spread is to be expected, and the key to controlling the spread and keeping Texans safe is for all people to consistently follow good hygiene and social distancing practices. However, due to the recent increases in COVID-19 positive cases, and increases in hospitalizations further measures are needed to achieve the least restive means for reducing the growing spread of COVID-19, and to avoid a need for more extreme measures.

Abbott’s order also says he issued the face covering order as the least restrictive means available to protect the health and safety of Texans and ensure an effective response to COVID-19.

Medical experts are consistently encouraging people to use face coverings, and health authorities have repeatedly emphasized that wearing face coverings is one of the most important and effective tools for reducing the spread of COVID-19.

Failure to comply with Abbott’s order is an offense punishable by a verbal or written warning for a first-time violator, a person’s second violation shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed $250 and each subsequent violation shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed $250 per violation.

Local law enforcement and other local officials, as appropriate, can and should enforce the executive order.

However, no law enforcement or other official may detain, arrest, or confine in jail any person for a violation of the executive order or for non-violent, non-felony offenses that are predicated on a violation of the executive order. However, any official with authority to enforce the order may act to enforce trespassing laws and remove violators at the request of a business establishment or other property owner. The executive order prohibits confinement in jail as a penalty for the violation of any face-covering order by any jurisdiction.

Locally Iowa Park Police Chief Steve Davis said the governor has laid out what the rules are and how to enforce it, starting with warnings and then written citations.

“For the most part people in Iowa Park are law abiding citizens and want to do what the law requires them to do,” Davis said. “If we are called to a business for a violator, they have a right to ask someone to leave and we will respond and enforce it.”

K&K owner Keith Fisher said they are doing everything they know to do to protect their employees and customers. ‘”We clean constantly, we have shields up, floors marked for social distancing, signs up and the sign from the health department that says a face musk must be worn. We have had people walk up to the door and read the sign and turn around and leave.”

Recently someone visited K&K with a nurse emblem on their shirt and “COVID-19 Task Force” imprinted on the shirt. Fisher said there were two ladies together who walked through the store, went into the restroom and commented to the clerk “this is the first connivance store we have stopped at that someone was actively cleaning. Your store looks nice.”

Fisher said, “we think we were inspected by someone with the Wichita County Health Department. We want to do what we are supposed to do.”

He said the majority of the customers do wear mask and especially travelers.

Lowe’s Grocery Manager Steve Curry said more people are wearing a mask now, than they did during the county order.

“Probably ninety percent of the customers are wearing a mask now. If someone comes in without a mask we don’t stop them from coming in, but we might suggest they wear a mask. All of the store employees wear a mask,” he said. “I think people are taking it more serious now.”

Iowa Park Florist owner Karen Skasick said most of her business is done by phone or internet, but probably seventy-five percent of those who enter her business arewearing a mask.

While more people can been seen wearing mask, not everyone is and some say they will not.