AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Despite Gov. Greg Abbott's statewide orders that are beginning to re-open the Texas economy, local officials are sending out reminders that "Stay Home, Work Safe" remains in effect in Austin and Travis County.
Austin Mayor Steve Adler, Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt, and Interim Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott held a press conference Monday afternoon to emphasize the current orders, along with extensions set to be released later this week - with modifications set to be compliant with Abbott's statewide order.
Per Abbott's statewide executive order, local jurisdictions may no longer enforce the mandated use of face coverings through civil or criminal penalties. But Adler says the city and county will continue to mandate the coverings - with a penalty far worse than a civil or criminal one.
"The real penalty for not wearing a face covering in Austin is that more people will get sick and some of them will die," Adler said in a statement. "That should be penalty enough. Our community acts through the choices that individuals make. Together, we will decide how COVID-19 will impact us. Let’s make the right choices."
Individual businesses do have the right to mandate or require face coverings on their own.
Other portions of the local "Stay Home, Work Safe" order that remain unchanged, in line with the statewide order, include a ban on gatherings of groups of people who do not share a household, continued social and physical distancing while out in public, and limiting travel only to essential and re-opened businesses or to conduct an essential activity, such as exercise or an outdoor activity.