Breakdown of mask orders in Harris and surrounding counties

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Wednesday, July 1, 2020
Breakdown of mask orders in Harris and surrounding counties
One or another, a mask order will affect you. Hit play to hear the rules for Harris and surrounding counties.

As the number of coronavirus cases continue to grow, this is what counties and cities around Houston and Harris County are doing to help flatten the curve.

Brazos County

A mask order went into effect Tuesday, June 30. Under this order, employees and customers must wear a mask if they enter a business.

Different from the rest of the orders in surrounding areas, at this time, businesses will not be penalized if they fail to comply.

Anyone with comments, questions or concerns regarding the mask order can call Brazos County at 979-361-4102 or the City of Bryan at 979-209-5000.

For more on Brazos County's order or businesses searching for signs for their business, visit the county's website.

Dickinson

Dickinson mayor Julie Masters issued an order that masks must be worn in the city limits. The order went into effect Sunday, June 28.

Manvel

A mask order went into effect at 12:01 a.m. Monday, June 29 for the City of Manvel. Under the order, everyone 10 years of age and older must wear a mask if they enter a commercial business where social distancing of six feet can't be accomplished.

Masks can be homemade, scarves, bandannas or handkerchiefs. The order will remain in effect until July 5.

Mayor Debra Davison said the Deputy Fire Marshal will be delivering the order to local businesses. It will also be posted on the city's website.

Pearland

Pearland has enacted a mandatory face mask policy.

The policy, which went into effect on June 28, requires businesses to allow only customers who are wearing masks. It also includes that all employees wear their masks. The rule will not be enforced for young children or when you're outside.

Businesses who fail to implement the order could be fined up to $1,000 per violation.

Fort Bend County

County Judge KP George announced on Tuesday his Declaration of Local Disaster for Public Health and order on facial coverings for commercial entities was extended by the Commissioners' Court until July 31.

The order requires all commercial entities with a physical location within Fort Bend County providing goods and services directly to the public, must require that all employees and visitors to their business premises or other facilities to wear face coverings.

The order comes after county Judge KP George said 78% of people who voted in an online poll were in favor of the mask order.

Like Harris County's, a business that fails to comply will be fined. The only difference is Fort Bend County's fine is up to $500.

For more details on Fort Bend County's mask order, visit the county's website.

Freeport

A mask order went into effect at 12:01 a.m. June 30 for the City of Freeport.

Businesses that fail to comply with the order may receive a $1,000 fine. Residents 10 and older are expected to wear masks. The order will remain in effect until July 12.

Harris County

In Harris County, the mask order went into effect June 22.

The order directs any businesses providing goods or services to require all employees and visitors to wear face coverings in areas of close proximity to co-workers or the public.

RELATED: What to know about Harris County's new face mask order

Business that fail to comply could be fined up to $1,000. The $1,000 fine could be a big motivator to some store owners, who have been struggling after being shut down for months. To report a business in violation of the order you can call (832) 839-6941 or go online: https://form.jotform.com/201244433797154

The order was scheduled to end on June 30, but the Harris County Commissioners voted to extend the order until August 26.

Montgomery County

County judge Mark Keough said there are no plans at the moment to issue a mask mandate for businesses.

"Individuals and businesses alike can and will make the decision for what is best for them with regard to wearing a mask," Keough wrote.

Chambers County

County Judge Jimmy Sylvia issued a mandate that all Chambers County businesses develop, implement and post a Health and Safety Plan that requires all employees and visitors to wear face coverings.

Businesses face a fine of up to $1,000 if they fail to comply.

The order went into effect June 25 and was expected to last until June 30, but has been extended until July 7.

Galveston

Even though Galveston County Judge Mark Henry announced he will not be issuing a mask order for the county, the city of Galveston's mayor is mandating that businesses require wearing face masks.

Under Mayor Jim Yarbrough's order, all employees and customers 10 years and older are required to wear face coverings to receive service.

RELATED: What you need to know about new Galveston face mask order

"Failure to develop and implement the Health and Safety Policy required by this Executive Order may result in a fine not to exceed $1,000 for each violation," the order reads.

The order was expected to last until June 30. However, Galveston's City Council voted 5-2 to extend the mask order until Sept. 30.

Another council vote would be required to change that.

To read the complete order rules, visit the city of Galveston's website.

La Marque

The city of La Marque, like Galveston, issued its own mask order.

RELATED: La Marque mayor signs proclamation requiring face masks in public

La Marque's order mandates residents inside the city to wear masks and practice social distancing. Face coverings are required inside businesses, in parks, and if you're outside your vehicle.

Sugar Land

The city of Sugar Land also issued an order that went into effect June 24 and will run through July 7, lasting longer than surrounding counties but can also be extended.

Like surrounding counties and cities, Sugar Land's mask order mandates businesses to require employees and customers to wear face coverings.

Those who fail to comply with the city's order could face up to a $1,000 fine.

To learn more about the order or when you do not need to wear a mask, visit Sugar Land's website.

Clute

The city of Clute announced everyone over the age of 10 will need to wear a mask when inside a commercial building. The order went into effect on Monday, June 29.

Lake Jackson

Mayor Bob Sipple issued an order, saying businesses in Lake Jackson need to require employees and customers to wear masks. The order went into effect Monday, June 29.

To read the full order, visit Lake Jackson's website.

Missouri City

Mayor Yolanda Ford issued an order for Missouri City that requires residents to wear face coverings. Missouri City's order went into effect June 28. The Municipal Court is also closed to the public.

To read the full order, visit Missouri City's website.