Hidalgo orders Harris County businesses to require customers wear masks as COVID-19 cases rise
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Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, shown here in May 2020, issued a new mask order for the county on June 19.
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, shown here in May 2020, issued a new mask order for the county on June 19.
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo has issued an order mandating that businesses in the county must require customers wear masks to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. The order goes into effect Monday, June 22.
Employees and customers over the age of 10 must wear a mask or face covering, stay 6 feet apart from other customers and staff, and cannot enter a business if they are feeling ill.
"Every business has a 'no shirt, no shoes, no service' policy," Hidalgo said. "The idea is to see this as a 'no shirt, no shoes, no mask, no service' policy."
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Businesses not complying with the order will receive a $1,000 fine per violation. Individuals cannot be fined.
No fines will be issued for five days once the order goes into effect. The order will expire at the end of June.
Exemptions to the order include while eating or drinking something provided by the business, when in a business that requires security surveillance (like banks), when exercising outdoors, while pumping gas or when a mask would pose a greater mental or physical health risk.
Harris County has seen a surge in COVID-19 cases since Memorial Day.
Hidalgo said there is space in hospitals and the death rate is still low in Houston, but encouraged the community to remain vigilant.
"To be clear, just because there is a bed for you now, does not mean we want you there," Hidalgo said.
Hidalgo first issued a mask order in April that carried a fine up to $1,000 for violators, but Gov. Greg Abbott prohibited cities and counties from punishing residents not wearing masks soon after. He endorsed Bexar County's mask order earlier this week, as it applies to businesses rather than individuals.
"Government cannot require individuals to wear masks,” Abbott said. “However, pursuant to my plan, local governments can require stores and businesses to require masks.”
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Mayor Sylvester Turner expressed his support for the order and encouraged businesses and customers to follow it.
"The virus, every single day, is reminding us that it is still here," Turner said. "And if you treat it like it's not here, the numbers are going to speak for themselves."
