Dallas County commission scales back judge’s mask order, reopens craft stores as essential
Dallas County commissioners voted Friday to scale back County Judge Clay Jenkins’ order requiring residents to wear masks in public amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Jenkins added the face covering requirement for all residents at essential businesses or on public transportation, including workers, Thursday. It’s set to go in effect at midnight Friday.
The commissioners voted to change the order to “explicitly say that residents not in compliance won’t be fined or incur any issues with law enforcement,” according to the Dallas Morning News.
Under the order, businesses can refuse entry to people who aren’t wearing face coverings.
Commissioners also voted 3-2 to reopen craft stores such as Hobby Lobby so residents could fashion their own masks out of materials sold at those types of stores.
More than 2,000 residents of Dallas County have been infected with COVID-19 and more than 50 have died from coronavirus-related issues.
Jenkins had previously enforced the closure of Hobby Lobby and threatened punishment to employees on social media when it was discovered some Hobby Lobby’s remained opened after his initial order to close all non-essential businesses
According to Jenkins’ amended order, Dallas County 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. 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,” 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.”
