Mayor Orders Residents to Wear Masks in Public
April 18, 2020 - San Antonio
Choose your masks. Starting Monday, residents ten years and older are required to wear face masks in public. “If we continue working together, we will save lives and limit the damage being caused by this virus,” said San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg on Thursday. Photo: Jade Esteban Estrada.
By Jade Esteban Estrada - Staff Writer, San Antonio Sentinel
On Thursday, Mayor Ron Nirenberg issued a second addendum to the Stay Home, Work Safe order which requires all residents ten years or older to wear a cloth face covering over their nose and mouth when in public areas where it may be difficult to keep the recommended six-feet distance from others. Such places include grocery stores, pharmacies, and work areas where employees may be in close proximity. Cloth face coverings could include homemade masks, scarfs, bandanas, or a handkerchief. This new directive will be effective Monday, April 20.
“This additional step to thwart the highly contagious coronavirus is an important tool for when people must be in public, but masks are not a substitute for social distancing” said Nirenberg.
Employers that are operating as exempted businesses must comply with the mandate by providing face coverings and training for appropriate use to employees who are working in an area which will necessarily involve close contact to co-workers or the public.
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The continued spread of COVID-19 by pre- and asymptomatic individuals is a significant concern as health officials work to reduce transmission in San Antonio and Bexar County.
“It is critically important that we all do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19,” said Metro Health Director Dawn Emerick. “The first line of defense against COVID-19 is to stay home when you can. If you need to leave your home for essential activities, then your second line of defense is a cloth face covering,”
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.