The city is encouraging residents and visitors to continue wearing masks indoors and social distance, regardless of vaccination status. The city protocols are in line with an executive order issued July 29 by Gov. Greg Abbott stating that government entities or private companies that have received government funds cannot forcefully administer vaccines or inquire about an individual’s vaccination status.
Abbott’s order also states no operating limits or mask mandates can be made on any business or establishment.
During its Aug. 2 meeting, Richardson City Council members expressed concern for rising cases in the city and urged all residents to get vaccinated.
“Please get vaccinated; it does work,” Council Member Ken Hutchenrider said. “Please do it because we've got to get this under control. Our numbers are back up again. Every area hospital around here ... every one is seeing a spike.”
As part of the governor's executive order, state hospitals report hospitalization numbers to the Texas Department of State Health Services rather than the cities in which they reside. Richardson Mayor Paul Voelker said he would prefer to know Richardson’s exact hospitalization numbers.
“It would be nice to be able to continue to do apples to apples comparisons,” Voelker said. “I would just like to know where we are. I share everyone’s sentiment ... get vaccinated.”
More than 52% of Dallas County residents age 12 and older have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of July 29, according to the DSHS. In Collin County, that number sits at more than 62%.
City officials said they will continue to update COVID-19 information and share it with residents as it becomes available.
