Cloth facial coverings required in Dallas County beginning Saturday

Cloth facial coverings required in Dallas County beginning Saturday


DALLAS COUNTY, TX – April 16, 2020 – Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins announced that beginning Saturday, April 18, all residents over the age of two must wear a cloth covering over their face and mouth when visiting essential businesses, in order to slow the spread of COVID-19. Essential business employees and riders of public transportation are required to comply with the order.

Under the current Declaration of Local Disaster, the amended order calls for fabric or cloth coverings such as a homemade mask, scarf, bandana or handkerchief – not medical-grade face masks or N-95 respirators, for people who are visiting essential businesses, including the bank or grocery stores. Parents and guardians will be responsible for making sure that children ages 2 to 10 are wearing masks.

Amended Order:  Summary of Changes (Covering of Nose and Mouth)

UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 418.108, DALLAS COUNTY JUDGE CLAY JENKINS ORDERS:

Effective as of 1:00 p.m. on April 16, 2020, and continuing until 11:59 p.m. on April 30, 2020:

Covering of Nose and Mouth: Because an infected person can transmit the COVID-19 virus to others before showing any symptoms, the covering of a person’s nose and mouth is necessary to help slow the spread of the virus. Effective at 11:59 p.m. on April 17, 2020, to the greatest extent possible all persons over the age of two (2) shall wear some form of covering over their nose and mouth, such as a homemade mask, scarf, bandana or handkerchief, when patronizing an Essential Business or using public transportation pursuant to the rules outlined in Exhibit G. Parents and Guardians of children under 10 shall be responsible for appropriately masking children pursuant to this Order. To the greatest extent possible, all non-medical employees who work at an Essential Businesses or perform services that are exempt under this Order must wear face coverings over their noses and mouths while performing their work. An owner or operator of an Essential Business may refuse admission or service to any individual who fails to wear face covering. Wearing a face covering is not a substitute for maintaining 6-feet social distancing and hand washing, as these remain important steps to slowing the spread of the virus.

Click here to read the full order. 

Click here to read FAQs about face coverings. 

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