UPDATE:
The City of Austin will be coming up with new Face Mask policies in line the Governor’s statements. Austin’s Mayor Steve Adler tweets, the city will work with businesses to come up with simple safety plans. The Mayor said, most local businesses have already done this and the City will, “transition to a more direct order on masks.”
The Governor has now given us a path and we will act consistent with his statement. Wearing masks is important — to our health and to opening up the economy. We will be entering an order directing businesses to come up with a simple safety plan over the next several days. 1/2
— Mayor Adler (@MayorAdler) June 17, 2020
Austin businesses are great and many of them, if not most, have already done this. During this time, we will transition to a more direct order on masks, working with our business community so our whole city moves forward together and so that everyone can get prepared. 2/2
— Mayor Adler (@MayorAdler) June 17, 2020
ORIGINAL: Texas mayors ask Gov. Abbott to let them enforce mask policies
The Mayor of Austin joins other Texas mayors in asking Governor Greg Abbott to let them enforce face mask orders.
Enforcement could mean the jailing or fining of someone, Austin’s Mayor Steve Adler said, he doesn’t want to do either to anyone. To further demonstrate his point, he noted when face masked were mandatory and enforceable by law, Austin police officer didn’t fine or arrest anyone but face mask usage was up.
Looking at the Governor’s orders and statements surrounding face masks, Adler said, Gov. Abbott is sending mixed messages by merely recommending face masks. He said this makes people question the importance of face masks.
