The breakthrough in enforcement of coronavirus mitigation measures comes one day after Adler and mayors from eight major cities across Texas sent Gov. Greg Abbott a letter asking permission to enforce a face covering mandate. Abbott previously said government could not force individuals to wear face coverings, only to strongly encourage the act.
SEE ALSO: Texas' big-city mayors ask Gov. Greg Abbott for power to impose face mask rules
On June 17, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff found a way around Abbott and signed an order requiring employees and customers to wear face coverings while inside a business, similarly punishable by a $1,000 fine. Abbott said he agreed with Wolff's interpretation of the state orders.
"Judge Wolff's order is not inconsistent with the Governor's executive order," said John Wittman, a spokesman for Abbott told The Texas Tribune. "Our office urges officials and the public to adopt and follow the health protocols for businesses established by doctors."
In a June 17 interview with a Waco news station, Abbott said Bexar County's judge "finally figured out" what state officials have been saying: Governments cannot force individuals to wear masks but can require masks to be worn in businesses. Adler called Abbott's comments "pretty incredible."
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