El Paso Amends Emergency Directive, Face Masks Now Mandatory

Mask up or stay home, El Paso.

City, county, and health officials have amended the emergency directive making the wearing of face masks or face covering mandatory when out in public. The restriction was added in response to a continued upward tick in the number of positive COVID-19 cases in El Paso County.

Face coverings are described in the amendment as “a homemade mask, scarf, bandana, or handkerchief."

Until further notice, anyone over the age of two is required to wear some form of face covering "while outside of their home or residence" unless that person "has trouble breathing, is unconscious, incapacitated, or exercising outdoors and not within 6 feet of any other individual not from the same household."

Mayor Dee Margo stressed during the press announcement that employees of essential businesses must wear a mask or face covering in the presence of others. "It’s especially being mandated for employees of essential businesses," the mayor said. "And it’s also being mandated for those who should go into those essential businesses. You must wear a face covering."