Late this afternoon, Governor Greg Abbott issued Executive Order-29 requiring all Texans to wear a face covering in public spaces in counties
with 20 or more positive COVID-19 cases, with few exceptions.
The Governor also issued a proclamation giving mayors and county judges the ability to impose restrictions on some outdoor gatherings of more than 10 people and making it mandatory that, with certain exceptions, people cannot be in groups larger than ten and must maintain six feet of social distancing from others.
First-time offenders of the Order will receive a written or verbal warning. Those who violate the Order a second time will receive a fine of up to $250. Every subsequent violation is punishable also by a fine of up to $250. The Order specifics that no one can get jail time for a violation.
The Order comes one day after Texas hit another record number of new COVID19 cases, a reported 8,076, making it the highest one-day total in the state since the start of the pandemic. It is also in advance of the 4th of July weekend, a holiday known for large family celebrations and outdoor activities.
The order is effective Friday, July 3 at 12:01 p.m.
