This afternoon, Dallas County issued a mandatory masking order. A full copy of the Order can be accessed here.  The Order comes on the heels of a Dallas district court judge issuing a temporary restraining order yesterday evening preventing enforcement of Governor Abbott’s ban on local mask mandates.

The Dallas County Order takes effect at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, August 11, 2021 and requires as follows.

1.  Who is impacted?

• Commercial entities in Dallas County providing goods or services directly to the public.
• All childcare centers and pre-K through 12th-grade public schools.
• All contractors, employees, or visitors to buildings or offices owned or operated by Dallas County.

2.   What is required?

• Commercial entities
  • Develop Health and Safety Policy that at minimum requires universal masking for employees and visitors to the commercial entity’s business premises or other premises
    • May include other mitigation measures, such as temperature checks and health screenings
  • Post Health and Safety Policy in a conspicuous place to give notice to employees and visitors of health and safety requirements
• Childcare centers and pre-K through 12th-grade public schools
  • Develop Health and Safety Policy that at minimum requires universal masking for all teachers, students, staff, and visitors to childcare centers and pre-K through 12th-grade public schools, regardless of vaccination status, except for children under 2 years of age.
    • May include other mitigating measures such as maintaining 3 feet of social distance between students within classrooms.
  • Dallas County buildings
    • All contractors, employees, or visitors must wear a face mask, regardless of vaccination status.

3.   What are the consequences?

• Commercial entities
  • Up to $1,000 fine per violation if Health and Safety policy not developed and implemented within 3 calendar days of the effective date of the Order.
• Childcare centers and pre-K through 12th-grade public schools
  • Not specified
• Dallas County buildings
  • Not specified

4.   What do I need to do?

If you fall within the categories of impacted business, you must develop and implement a Health and Safety Protocol that at a minimum requires masking and post the Policy in a conspicuous location.

The attorneys in our Austin and Dallas offices have had significant experience over the past 16 months interpreting various pandemic-related orders, including prior masking orders.  If you should have any questions about the Order or need assistance developing a Health and Safety Policy, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@gstexlaw.com.

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