Bexar County Executive Order: Everyone Must Wear a Mask in Businesses

SAN ANTONIO, TX -- The Bexar County judge has issued a new executive order that will require employees and customers to wear masks inside businesses.

According to KABB, Judge Nelson Wolff’s order will have five days from Wednesday to implement the order. All commercial entities that provide a direct service or goods will be required to develop and implement a policy that requires all employees and customers to wear a mask if they are unable to social distance.

The executive order comes on the heels of Bexar County reporting record high cases and nearly doubling the positivity rate.

"We need to make sure that everyone is doing their part to remind ourselves that this is not a fight we can give up on," San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said.

Businesses that do not follow the executive order may face a fine of $1,000. According to Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar, his deputies will “do whatever they can to ensure citations don't happen immediately.”

"Take it for me, it’s a bad feeling when you lose an employee to this horrible disease, I’ve already done this, I’m speaking first-hand,” said Salazar.

According to city officials and Judge Wolf, they believe the executive orders are “within the confines of Gov. Greg Abbott's emergency order.”

Judge Wolff told local media he had reached out to Gov. Abbotts office and was still awaiting a response.

"The action that I'm taking today may be pushing the legal bounds a little bit, but our attorneys believe we can defend this order in court," said Wolff.

Gov. Abbott's Communications Director John Wittman issued a response to the executive order:

“Judge Wolff’s order is not inconsistent with the Governor’s executive order. Our office urges officials and the public to adopt and follow the health protocols for businesses established by doctors that are available at open.texas.gov.”

The San Antonio based grocery store H-E-B also issued a response to the executive order:

"H-E-B has worked closely with Judge Wolff and we appreciate his hard work and dedication in keeping the health and safety of Bexar County residents a top priority. In collaboration with the local order and our government officials, effective Monday June 22, H-E-B stores in Bexar County will require masks or facial coverings to be used by all customers. The CDC and State health officials strongly support the use of facial coverings in public as a proven way to slow the spread of COVID-19. Throughout the COVID crisis, H-E-B has worked closely with the Governor and his staff and we appreciate the collaborative work and advocacy to help keep Texans safe."