City, County Issue Amended Emergency Orders
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Jun 18, 2020, 0 Comments
LAREDO, Texas—Due to the uptick in positive COVID-19 cases locally, and upon heeding advice from the local health authority and the emergency management response team, Mayor Pete Saenz and Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina have signed two new emergency orders that mandates all businesses in Laredo and Webb County that provide goods and services directly to the public to develop and implement a health and safety plan that also requires all employees and customers to wear face coverings. Both orders are consistent with Governor Greg Abbott’s executive order.
Both the city and county orders have been updated and require all commercial entities to develop and implement a health and safety policy that requires all employees and customers to wear face coverings when in an area where they are unable to socially distance. Commercial entities must post the Health and Safety Policy required by this Emergency Order in a conspicuous location sufficient to provide notice to employees and visitors of all health and safety requirements. Businesses have 7 calendar days from the effective date to develop and implement the health and safety policy. Failure may result in a fine not to exceed $1,000 for each violation.
“We are taking these extra precautions due to a rise in cases not only in Laredo but across the state of Texas and in our neighboring city of Nuevo Laredo,” said Mayor Pete Saenz. “The public must not let their guard down. Daily life must continue as safely as possible, but we remind everyone to follow the health guidelines, including wearing a face covering anytime you are around other people. The health and wellbeing of our entire city is in everyone’s hands.”
“Medical experts have continuously said that wearing face coverings is the single most effective preventative measure we can take right now to slow the spread of coronavirus,” said Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina. “The recent spike in cases in our state is very concerning, and as such, it is absolutely critical that we take the necessary steps to protect our community.”