Maskgate: Mayor Nirenberg and Judge Wolff Announce Continued Stay Home, Work Safe Orders
April 30, 2020 - San Antonio
Gov. Abbott’s Strike Force meets SA’s Mask Force. Olga Estrada (pictured) has made masks for her family and friends in accordance with San Antonio and Bexar County’s stay-at-home orders, which have been extended through May 19. Photo: Jade Esteban Estrada.
By Jade Esteban Estrada - Staff Writer, San Antonio Sentinel
On Wednesday, Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Judge Nelson Wolff issued separate but joint updates to their Stay Home, Work Safe Orders to continue slowing the spread of the coronavirus. The mayor’s order, which went into effect at 11:59 p.m. on April 29 and will last until May 19, was confirmed by San Antonio City Council on Thursday. District 10 Councilman Clayton Perry was the lone vote against the extension.
“The social distancing and other common-sense measures recommended by our public safety officials have been successful,” said Nirenberg. “The new orders are a continuation of that effective strategy, which is undoubtedly limiting the spread of COVID-19 and reducing the damage being done by this highly contagious disease.”
Nirenberg believes that a significant part of San Antonio’s success in mitigating the spread of the virus, which has been applauded by Gov. Greg Abbott, has been because of its ongoing partnership with Wolff and Bexar County. “We plan to continue that teamwork as we move forward,” he added. The County order is also set to expire on May 19.
“This latest order will allow us to keep the tools in place that have proved successful while still conforming to the governor’s latest orders,” said Wolff, who has been critical of Abbott’s decision to make the wearing of face masks an option and prohibited local entities from fining individuals for not wearing a face covering in public areas.
The County order also extends the temporary suspension of eviction and foreclosure proceedings. “Together with the City of San Antonio, we have put in place measures based on science and medical guidance that will allow for the gradual reopening while still providing for the safety of our community,” Wolff said.
Masks
Both local orders require that all citizens ten years or older must continue wearing a cloth face covering over their nose and mouth when in a public place, or patronizing essential services or reopened services where it’s difficult to maintain a distance of six-feet from other people. Examples of this are visits to the grocery store or pharmacy and/or working areas that involve close proximity with other co-workers.
Employers that are essential services and reopened services must provide face cloth face coverings to employees who are working in an area or activity which necessarily involves close contact or proximity to the public where being six-feet apart from other individuals is not viable.
Cloth face coverings could include homemade masks, scarfs, bandanas, or a handkerchief, like the ones Wolff has been sporting at his daily COVID-19 briefings. Residents should reserve medical grade masks and N95 respirators for first responders and health care professionals.
The public must continue to practice social distancing when they are outside their home when engaged in essential activities as outlined in the directives.
Here is a quick checklist of circumstances when face coverings do not need to be worn:
When exercising outside or engaging in a physical outdoor activity.
When driving alone or with passengers who are part of the same household as the person driving.
When wearing a mask poses a greater mental or physical health, safety or security risk.
While pumping gas or operating outdoor equipment.
While in a building or activity that requires security surveillance or screening (for example, banks).
When consuming food or drink.
Health officials have advised citizens to wash their hands with soap and water before putting on their mask, which should cover their mouth and nose. “It should fit snugly, but comfortably,” a spokesperson explained.
Individuals should avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth while wearing and taking off their mask. Washing hands or using hand sanitizer is recommended after taking off the mask. And, perhaps most importantly, cloth face coverings should go in the washing machine or get washed by hand with soap and water.
Consistent with Abbott’s new executive order which was announced on Monday, a civil or criminal penalty will not be imposed on individuals who do not wear a cloth face covering, but they should consider the health and safety of their neighbors as they leave their homes for essential activities. Nirenberg and Wolff have agreed that the best protection against COVID-19 is to stay at home.
“The social distancing and other common-sense measures recommended by our public safety officials have been successful,” said San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg on Wednesday. Photo: Jade Esteban Estrada.
Essential, non-essential and “reopen” businesses
All businesses operating within San Antonio and Bexar County, except essential services and the reopened services as defined by Abbott’s Executive Order GA-18, which begins on May 1, are required to stop operations and close if they have not already done so.
These services that are permitted to operate should follow the following protocols:
Limit the amount of customers at the pickup location or in the establishment so that social distancing is maintained.
Implement an organized line system where people are spaced at least six-feet apart.
Use of drive-through, pickup or delivery options for food and drinks are highly encouraged.
Limiting occupancy to 25 percent of the limit on the establishment’s Certificate of Occupancy is highly encouraged.
Abbott’s order includes the following reopened services at 25 percent occupancy: retail stores, dine-in restaurants, movie theaters, shopping malls, museums, libraries (at this time, City-owned libraries will remain closed), golf courses and places of worship. As many business owners feel that it would be unsafe to open at this time as COVID-19 case numbers continue to rise, it’s important to note that the governor’s order does not mandate the opening of these facilities; however, they may reopen if they choose to. Violations of the orders may be reported to 210-207-SAPD.
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The governor’s order indicates that bars, gyms, bowling alleys, arcades, public swimming pools, massage establishments, tattoo and piercing studios and cosmetology and barber shops must remain closed.
If you are sick
Those who are sick should stay at home and not engage in any activity outside their residence, unless they are seeking treatment or health care. If someone in a household has tested positive for COVID-19 then they must follow the isolation and quarantine measures prescribed by local, state, or federal health authorities.
If a member of a household tests positive, then other members of the household should consider themselves positive if they become symptomatic and should also follow the isolation and quarantine measures prescribed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Antibody tests
A number of health care providers and others have been marketing and administering COVID-19 antibody testing to consumers. If a member of the public is considering or planning an antibody test they should make sure that the provider will administer an antibody test that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and that you will be fully informed of the test protocol and test results. Citizens are advised to review the FDA information and guidance before seeking an antibody test.
Information about no cost COVID-19 testing is available on the City’s website.
Outdoor activities
As per Abbott’s latest order, those who engage in outdoor activity and sports may not participate with more than four participants and must maintain social distancing. In support of this measure, all recreational areas where social distancing and sanitizing requirements are difficult or impossible to meet, including community and school playgrounds, outdoor exercise equipment, skate plazas, splash pads and basketball courts including those located in apartment complexes or homeowner’s association and/or neighborhood association owned areas, shall close for the duration of these measures.
Evictions and foreclosures
Nirenberg’s order also supports Wolff’s order to suspend rental evictions and foreclosures so that individuals who have lost their source of income can remain in their homes during this health crisis. The City’s order also complies with the Order from the Texas Supreme Court’s moratorium on eviction proceedings until May 18, 2020.
Nursing home facilities
The order also continues to prohibit nursing homes, retirement and long-term care facilities from allowing access to non-essential visitors unless they are providing medical assistance or visiting a friend or family member expected to pass away soon. Staff members at long-term care facilities may only work at one location at at time. Each long-term care facilities should identify and exclude potentially infected staff members and implement appropriate infection control measures.
Test results
All public, private, and commercial laboratories operating within the City of San Antonio and performing COVID-19 testing must continue to provide a daily report to the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District of the number of COVID-19 tests performed and the number of positive COVID-19 tests. This information will be used solely for public health purposes to monitor the testing conducted in the City and mitigate and contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Read the City of San Antonio’s declaration here.
Read the Bexar County’s declaration here.
Jade Esteban Estrada is a staff writer at the San Antonio Sentinel, where he covers public health and other citywide issues. He can be reached at jade@sasentinel.com.