Face Coverings Required for Businesses Starting 6/22/20
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo signed a new order Friday (June 19, 2020) mandating that everyone over the age of 10 wear a face covering while in businesses or on commercial properties, including employees and all visitors and customers.
This order will be in effect at 12:01AM on Monday, June 22, 2020 until 11:59 PM on Tuesday, June 30, 2020.
Full text of the order can be viewed here: https://www.readyharris.org/Stay-Safe
- Businesses must develop a health and safety plan for employees and customers to protect them from COVID-19. At a minimum, this plan must include that all employees, customers and visitors (over the age of 10) that enter businesses or commercial properties must wear a face covering.
- Businesses must post and inform customers/visitors that they are required to wear a face covering while on the premises.
- Businesses reserve the right to refuse service to those not wearing a face covering with exceptions for those who cannot wear one for medical reasons (see exceptions below).
- Businesses who do not comply with this order could face a fine (see enforcement below).
- Face coverings may be a homemade mask, scarf, bandana, or handkerchief, as long as it covers the nose and mouth.
Exceptions to Face Covering Order
- You must wear a face covering at all times while in businesses or on commercial property, except:
- When eating or drinking;
- Face coverings should be worn to restaurants, but can be removed while eating/drinking.
- When you are exercising or doing physical activities; or,
- When wearing a face covering poses a mental, physical, safety or security risk (i.e. someone who has trouble breathing).
- When eating or drinking;
Choosing and Wearing a Face Covering
Harris County cannot provide face coverings to residents. We encourage residents to purchase or make a face covering to wear.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has guidance on how to properly wear face coverings and how to make your own face coverings: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover.html
Continue Good Health Habits
Wearing a face covering is not a substitute for maintaining 6-feet social distancing and hand washing because these remain important steps to slowing the spread of the virus.
Enforcement
Businesses who do not require customers/visitors/employees to wear face coverings under this Order can face a fine of up to $1,000 per violation.
For questions related to the order, contact:
- Phone: 832-839-6941
- Email: teamwork@cjo.hctx.net
- Las empresas deben desarrollar un plan de salud y seguridad para empleados y clientes para protegerlos de COVID-19. Como mínimo, este plan debe incluir que todos los empleados, clientes y visitantes (mayores de 10 años) que ingresen a negocios o propiedades comerciales deben usar una cubierta facial o cubrebocas.
- Las empresas deben publicar e informar a los clientes / visitantes que estén obligados a cubrirse la cara mientras se encuentren en las instalaciones.
- Las empresas se reservan el derecho de rechazar el servicio a aquellos que no usen una macarilla para la cara, con excepciones para aquellos que no pueden usar una por razones médicas (ver excepciones a continuación).
- Las empresas que no cumplan con esta orden podrían enfrentar una multa (ver cumplimiento más abajo).
- Las cubiertas faciales pueden ser un cubrebocas casero, una pañoleta, un pañuelo o bufanda siempre y cuando cubran la nariz y boca.
- Debe usar una cubierta facial en todo momento mientras se encuentre en negocios o en propiedades comerciales, excepto:
- Al comer o beber;
- Las cubiertas faciales se deben usar en los restaurantes, pero se pueden quitar mientras se come / bebe.
- Cuando hace ejercicio o realiza actividades físicas; o,
- Cuando el uso de una cubierta facial representa un riesgo mental, físico, de seguridad o protección (es decir, alguien que tiene problemas para respirar).
Para preguntas relacionadas con la orden, comuníquese al:
- Teléfono: 832-839-6941
- Correo electrónico: teamwork@cjo.hctx.net
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