Dallas County adds 7 coronavirus deaths and 80 cases, will require cloth face masks
Dallas County reported seven more coronavirus deaths and 80 new cases on Thursday.
The county also announced it will start requiring visitors to essential businesses, employees of those businesses, and riders of public transportation to wear a cloth or mask to cover their faces beginning Saturday.
The seven deaths include six Dallas residents and one Garland resident, including three residents of Dallas long-term care facilities. Three were in their 80s, two were in their 60s, and two were in their 70s.
There have been a total of 2,066 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 50 deaths in the county.
Starting at midnight Friday, residents over the age of 2 must wear some form of covering — such as a homemade mask, scarf, bandanna or handkerchief — over their nose and mouth, according to Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins’ amended order. The order requires residents using public transportation or visiting an essential business to wear face coverings “to the greatest extent possible.”
All non-medical employees working at essential businesses must also wear face coverings while working. Owners and operators of essential businesses “may refuse admission or service to any individual who fails to wear a face covering.”
The order does not apply to people riding in personal vehicles, engaging in outdoor activities, while eating, or in cases in which wearing a face covering would pose a greater health or safety risk.
“We must all limit unnecessary trips. Each trip carries some risk to you, your family, and the public at large,” Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said in a news release. “To better protect you and our front-line heroes, we are requiring all visitors to essential businesses, essential business employees, and riders of public transportation to wear a cloth covering starting Saturday.”
Parents and guardians of children over 2 and under 10 are responsible for appropriately masking children, the order says.
The county reminds residents that wearing a face covering is not a substitute for maintaining 6-feet social distancing and hand washing.
Jenkins also voiced concern over more traffic on Dallas roads. “That’s a concern,” he said. “If a few of us slack off on making good personal responsibility choices, we not only put public health at risk but are prolonging this for ourselves and everyone.”
This story was originally published April 16, 2020 at 12:24 PM.
