COLLEGE STATION, TX — College Station Mayor Karl Mooney has issued an emergency order requiring face masks in businesses and public places.
According to the order, businesses providing goods or services directly to the public must develop and implement a health and safety policy, which must include at minimum face coverings for employees and visitors.
Failure to develop, conspicuously place, and implement a health and safety policy may result in a fine not to exceed $1,000.00. Each day a policy is not developed, conspicuously placed, and implemented will be a separate offense.
All persons 10-years-old or older must wear a face covering or face mask when in a public place where it is difficult to keep six feet away from other people. There is no civil or criminal penalty for individuals for failure to wear a face covering.
Face coverings may include homemade masks, scarfs, bandanas, or handkerchiefs. The City strongly recommends residents not use medical masks or N95 respirators in order to save supplies for healthcare workers.
Face coverings do not have to be worn during the following situations:
- When exercising outside or engaging in physical activity outside
- When driving alone or with passengers who are part of the same household as the driver
- When doing so poses a greater mental or physical health, safety, or security risk
- When pumping gas or operating outdoor equipment
- While in a building or participating in an activity that requires security surveillance, screening, or identification, for example, banks
- When consuming food or drink
- When receiving a service where a face covering would impair the service
Large businesses or retailers are encouraged to establish special or designated shopping times for people who are considered highrisk for contracting COVID-19.
The order will take effect at 6 a.m. on Monday, June 29 and end at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, July 10.
This order comes as the county continues to see a rise in cases. Brazos County reported 116 new COVID-19 cases Thursday.
Full order: