At Tarrant County businesses, folks seem to be following mask rules — more or less
Tarrant County businesses are largely following a new rule that says they must require customers to wear masks.
The rule, signed by Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley on Thursday, went into effect Friday in an effort to prevent the county from having to shut down businesses as COVID-19 cases continue to rise.
At Sundance Square restaurants, customers were required to wear a mask before being seated. For those who refuse, take-out was offered as an option. Some restaurants, like Jake’s, provided masks to patrons. Taco Diner in Sundance Square had a sign notifying guests they must wear a mask whenever they are not eating or drinking. The restaurant appeared to be enforcing that.
Buc-ee’s in Far North Fort Worth had signs saying customers are required to wear a mask and wash their hands before shopping. While most customers wore masks, the store did not appear to be enforcing the rule. About a third of customers wore masks over their chins or held them in their hands while others covered only their mouths, not their noses.
Walmart in Far North Fort Worth saw about 95% of customers wearing masks Saturday, but had some wearing them as chin straps or carrying them in their hands. The same was true at the Kroger by TCU.
Tanger Outlets, next to the Buc-ee’s, had individual stores enforcing the mask rule. Some stores were selling masks and others were offering them for free, but all appeared to be requiring masks to enter. Outside the stores, about half of people weren’t wearing masks Saturday.
The same could be said about Parks Mall in Arlington. Many stores were selling masks and all required masks for entry. However, kiosk employees were regularly not wearing masks.
Social distancing was observed in most stores and restaurants across the county, but outside many customers were shoulder to shoulder. Parks Mall and Tanger Outlet stores had lines outside when they reached capacity, with 6-foot points marked on the floor.
An anti-racism art installation required participants signing the art to wear masks. The artist painted “End Racism Now” on the bricks in front of the Fort Worth Convention Center. Anybody wanting to sign the “End” or “Now,” painted in white, could get a free mask from organizers.
The Total Wine on South Hulen in Fort Worth provided free masks to anybody who needed one Friday evening. Masks were required to enter the store.
The IKEA in Grand Prairie was the same, with everybody inside wearing masks Saturday afternoon.