Following State Lead, County to Lift Mask Mandates
On Tuesday, March 2, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that he would lift the state’s mask wearing mandate and capacity limitations for all businesses effective March 10.
The move came as a surprise both welcome and otherwise to many in the State.
“Quite honestly, he went a lot farther than I thought he would,” said Fayette County Judge Joe Weber.
Weber said he supports Abbott’s decision and said he would remove local orders requiring mask wearing in the Fayette County Courthouse and other County offices.
“If County employees want to wear a mask because it feels like it’s best for them, they can certainly do that,” Weber said. “I’m not mandating anyone who comes into a County office to wear a mask, but I would ask them to please, if you are cough-ing or sneezing or having an issue, to please wear a mask and maintain social distancing.
“We will not turn them away if they come to an office for services and they don’t have a mask on,” Weber said. “But if they come in there sneezing and coughing on everyone, we’re going to say something.”
Weber said private businesses in Fayette County are free to require customers or employees to wear masks.
“Some may require employees to wear a mask, some may not,” he said.
Furthermore, Weber said he intends to lift Fayette County’s COVID-19 disaster declaration.
“A long, long time ago, they said ‘Flatten the curve,’” Weber said. “But when you look at infection rates, people getting the disease and recovering from the disease, our medical people being better able to deal with it because they know so much more. I think we’re into the era that its another virus. It’s still serious, very contagious. But we’re going to have to handle it like we do other viruses and learn to live with it.”
The Governor’s latest order, numbered GA-34, instructs public schools to follow guidance on health issued by the Texas Education Agency. It also encourages private schools to adopt similar standards.
School
In a phone call with the Record on Wednesday, La Grange I.S.D. Superintendent Bill Wagner said Texas superintendents were scheduled to participate in a conference call the following afternoon. He said state educations officials were expected to provide guidance on how the governor’s latest announcement would affect schools. He said La Grange I.S.D. was waiting to hear from the state before taking any action.
In addition, the governor’s order instructs nursing homes and long-term care facilities to follow infection control policies and practices set by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
Abbott’s latest order rescinded most of his previous executive orders regarding coronavirus with the exception of two: GA-10 and GA-13. GA-10 deals with coronavirus reporting requirements for hospitals and other healthcare providers. Those entities will continue to report COVID-19 data to the state.
GA-13, which deals with jail detention for defendants facing criminal charges, was issued on March 29, 2020.
The governor issued that order after some local jurisdictions considered releasing prisoners awaiting trial in order to lower their jail populations as a way of preventing disease spread. GA-13 prohibited those jurisdictions from releasing defendants accused of violent crimes. That order still stands.
Church
The Diocese of Victoria, which guides local Catholic Churches in the southern part of the county issued this statement Wednesday: “At this time, there have been no changes to the Diocese of Victoria’s COVID-19 safety protocols for Mass and other gatherings. We will keep everyone informed should that change. Although the Governor has stated that the State of Texas is no longer issuing orders for COVID-19 restrictions, he still encourages schools, churches and businesses to continue best practices to prevent the spread of the virus. Let’s continue to pray for the end of this pandemic.”
Shopping
HEB grocery chain released this statement Wednesday:
“It is important that masks be worn in public spaces until more Texans and our Partners have access to the COVID-19 vaccine. As an essential service provider during the pandemic, H-E-B is focused on the health and safety of our Partners and customers. H-E-B will still require all our Partners and vendors to wear masks while at work, and we urge all customers to please wear a mask when in our stores.”