Plano City Manager Mark Israelson intends to enforce warnings and fines for the order Gov. Greg Abbott issued July 2, just as the city has observed previous emergency orders, city spokesperson Steve Stoler said.
The mandate requires Texans to wear face coverings in businesses and public spaces—indoor or outdoor—where maintaining six feet of distance from other people is not feasible.
Children under 10 years old or people who are exercising, driving alone or with a relevant medical condition will not be required to wear masks.
Those who violate the order are subject to a warning. A second offense could result in a $250 fine.
The city of Plano plans to enforce those warnings and fines, Stoler said.
The governor’s order goes beyond the ordinance passed by Plano City Council earlier this week. That city ordinance placed businesses under a “strong recommendation” to develop a health policy that requires employees and guests to wear face coverings and post a prominent sign about the policy.
Plano’s ordinance carried no penalty for businesses that violated it and did not amount to regulatory policy, City Attorney Paige Mims said June 30.
Under the governor’s order, which goes into effect July 3, individuals will be held responsible for whether they wear face coverings.
