AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Hays County and Travis County have joined the jurisdictions mandating businesses to require face coverings.
Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra's new order will go into effect on Monday, June 22 and last until at least July 20. "With our COVID-19 case counts increasing rapidly here in Hays County, including the 210 cases today alone," Becerra said, "it's important that we get back to doing those simple things that can help protect the most vulnerable in our community."
Travis County Judge Sam Biscoe also announced a new order, similar to the City of Austin's order, that will run through August 15. Travis County's order, like others, calls on businesses to enact a health and safety plan for customers and employees - which, at a minimum, must require face coverings.
Under the Travis County order, businesses who do not comply with the orders could face a fine of up to $1,000. Hays County, and the City of Austin so far, have not yet implemented a fine, but officials say a high frequency of non-compliance could lead to a fine being implemented with a revised order.
Under Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's statewide orders, individuals cannot face a civil or criminal penalty for failing to wear a mask. However, businesses are free to enact requirements for customers visiting their premises - and local jurisdictions are allowed to require businesses to mandate face coverings.
