McKinney Mayor George Fuller signed an executive order on June 29 requiring masks for businesses and nonprofits in the city. The order takes effect at 12:01 a.m. June 30.
At that time, businesses and nonprofits must develop and implement a health and safety policy no later than July 1. This policy must require, at a minimum, that all employees, customers or visitors inside these establishments wear a face mask that covers their nose and mouth, per the order. Exceptions are made in cases when a mask would interfere with the performance of the service, such as seeing a dentist or eating food in a restaurant, according to the order.
These policies also allow for establishments to implement other measures, such as temperature checks or health screenings. These policies need to be posted in clear view of persons entering the building, the order states.
People age 10 and older are strongly encouraged to wear face masks in other public places where it is difficult to maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from other people, the order states. Homemade masks, scarves, bandanas and handkerchiefs are acceptable forms of face masks, per the order.
If there is a possible violation of the order, complaints can be made to the city's Code Enforcement department here, McKinney Communications and Marketing Director CoCo Good said.
"[The department] will continue normal enforcement and talking to any business that may be out of compliance," she said in an email. "We have had no major issues to date with anyone not voluntarily complying with orders such as this one—once educated on the requirements."
The city has added a Frequently Asked Questions section to its website regarding the mask order here. The full executive order is below.
Original post: Following a June 26 executive order from Gov. Greg Abbott to close all bars and limit capacity at restaurants, McKinney Mayor George Fuller said it is time for the city to require masks.
The mayor is expected to issue an executive order the afternoon of June 29 that will mandate face masks in city businesses, Fuller said. The order will be similar to the city of Denton’s, he said.
Fuller met with the city’s staff Monday morning to discuss the mask order after announcing his intentions on Facebook on June 27.
"Setting aside what I believe is the most important thing, our health and our well-being, I look at businesses in McKinney being closed again. And that will be an absolute death sentence to many businesses,” Fuller said in a Facebook video. “Now that they're being closed again, what do we do about that?”
Fuller cautioned that if coronavirus case numbers do not improve, Abbott will require more businesses to close or scale down their capacity again.
He urged the community to set aside their individual beliefs and stances and work together to protect local businesses and the health of others.
“Let’s humble ourselves, and whether we believe it’s necessary or not necessary, let’s defer to the experts right now,” Fuller said in his video. “Let’s help our fellow businesses. Let’s help our fellow families. Let’s help our fellow neighbors.”
