5 Things to Know About El Paso’s Newly Amended Face Mask Directive

Like it or not, masks will be required at all businesses in El Paso County.

In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, city and county officials have amended the Local Emergency Directive pertaining to face coverings. The updated order, which goes into effect Monday, June 22, requires businesses to make certain customers as well as employees are wearing face coverings while on premise.

The change comes in response to the continued uptick in coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths in El Paso County. Under the amended order, businesses that don’t comply risk a $500 fine for each violation.

Here’s what you need to know about the Amended Directive for Face Covering Rules for Businesses:

1. Order applies to any for-profit, non-profit, or educational entity regardless of the service they provide.

2. All businesses must require visitors, to include customers, contractors and vendors, to wear face coverings while on the business’s premises.

3. All businesses must require employees, including volunteers, to have a face covering when either in an area or performing an activity where six (6) feet of separation from others is not feasible.

4. Gyms and exercise establishments must require all individuals inside of the business establishment to wear a face covering at all times except for when an individual is actively engaging in exercise.

5. Even though Gov. Abbott's statewide order prohibits local governments from jailing, fining or forcing individuals to mask up, the governor says local governments “can require stores and businesses to require people to wear face masks” or risk some sort of penalty.