updated, July 3, 9:00 a.m.
Gov. Greg Abbott issued a nearly statewide mask mandate Thursday, as Texas struggles amid a surge of new cases of COVID-19.
The order requires "all Texans to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth in public spaces in counties with 20 or more positive COVID-19 cases, with few exceptions," according to Abbott's office.
In the KETR listening area, that mandate applies to all counties except for Delta and Rains, if those counties choose to opt out of the order. Counties with fewer than 20 cases can be exempted only if they petition to opt out. County judges must submit an application to be exempted to the Texas Division of Emergency Management. TDEM will list the counties that have opted out on its website.
As of Thursday afternoon, Delta (6 cases) and Rains (12 cases) remain below the threshold of 20. All other counties in the KETR service area have more than 20 cases, including Collin (2,763), Fannin (91), Hopkins (63), Hunt (452), Kaufman (627), Lamar (296), Rockwall (340), Van Zandt (91) and Wood (92) counties.
Abbott’s order goes into effect at 12:01 p.m. Friday.
Abbott's office also banned certain outdoor gatherings of over 10 people unless local officials approve. He had previously set the threshold at over 100 people. The new prohibition also goes into effect Friday afternoon.
First-time offenders of Abbott's order will receive a written or oral warning. Those who violate the order a second time will receive a fine of up to $250. Every subsequent violation is also punishable by a fine of up to $250. The order specifies that no one can get jail time for a violation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRZdTKxeAvE
