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Texas Governor Issues Statewide Face Covering Order
This afternoon, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced an Executive Order instituting a statewide face covering mandate Click Here, to go into effect at Noon on tomorrow, Friday, July 3rd. The Governor’s order requires that all persons in Texas (with minimal exceptions) wear a face covering when in public. There is an individual penalty of a warning for first offense and $250 fines for subsequent offenses for failing to comply with this order. As a result of the Governor’s action today, retailers in Texas will no longer be in the position of enforcing or policing the wearing of face coverings, as it is now mandated statewide for all persons.
Current list of city and county face covering ordinances:
Tarrant County Order
Hidalgo County Order
Harris County Order
Dallas County Order
Hays County Order
Bexar County Executive Order
City of Austin Order
Cameron County Order
College Station Order
El Paso County Order
City of Waco Order
Bell County Order
Nueces County Order
Chambers County
Fort Bend County Order
City of Galveston
City of La Marque
City of San Antonio
City of Sugar Land
Tom Green County Order
City of Round Rock
City of Georgetown
City of Hutto
City of Taylor
City of Marble Falls
Lee County Order
TRA Statement on SCOTX Decision on Austin PSL
Late on Friday, June 5th, the Texas Supreme Court issued its decision not to hear the city of Austin’s paid sick leave case (PSL), meaning the Austin ordinance is unconstitutional and voided. The city’s ordinance was struck down as unconstitutional by Texas’ Third Court of Appeals in 2019. Therefore, because the Supreme Court declined to hear the case, the Third Court’s ruling stands.
Texas retailers are pleased the Texas Supreme Court has confirmed the Third Court of Appeals’ ruling on the Austin PSL ordinance. We continue to believe that one size fits all local employment ordinances are unconstitutional, as ruled by the Third Court of Appeals. These mandated employment ordinances are burdensome and hurt job growth. Most retailers in Texas provide quality wage and benefit packages including paid time off.
Texas courts have been clear in stating that cities in Texas do not have the power to mandate paid sick leave. Texas retailers call on other cities in Texas with PSL ordinances to withdraw these unconstitutional ordinances. Lastly, although Friday’s decision was welcome news for Texas retailers in Austin, it’s clear PSL, as well as other anti-business issues will need to be taken up during the next session of the Texas Legislature, so that retailers can have certainty statewide.
Governor Abbott Announces Phase III to Open Texas
June 03, 2020 | Austin, Texas | Press Release
AUSTIN - Governor Greg Abbott today announced the third phase of the State of Texas’ plan to safely open the economy while containing the spread of COVID-19. Under Phase III, effective immediately, all businesses in Texas will be able to operate at up to 50% capacity, with very limited exceptions. Business that previously have been able to operate at 100% capacity may continue to do so, and most outdoor areas are not subject to capacity limits. All businesses and customers should continue to follow minimum standard health protocols laid out by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
As with previous phases, the Phase III plan is based on the advice and support of the four doctors on the Strike Force to Open Texas medical team. Via Executive Order, Phase III begins immediately. A breakdown of Phase III can be found below.
Texas Retailers Give Back
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the retail sector extremely hard. The sudden changes have impacted the entire industry. However, we want to shine a light on some retailers that have stepped up in the midst of this global crisis, to respond to the community with donations, and financial commitments that help to aid those in need during these unprecedented times. To all of these, and more retailers that are doing what they can during this time -- THANK YOU!
Coronavirus Resources for Retailers
- Check out the TRA Coronavirus Member Update Dashboard. View the latest up-to-date information directly from each member company and TRA affiliate posting updates related to the Coronavirus pandemic. See comments from: H-E-B, National Retail Federation (NRF), Walmart, Kroger, Lowe's Markets, Albertson's Markets, Target, Brookshire's, Brookshire Brothers, National Grocer's Association (NGA), Retail Leaders Association (RILA), Officer of the Governor Greg Abbott, The Hill, Food Marketing Institute (FMI), Center for Disease Control (CDC), Albertsons, Tom Thumb, Randall's, JCPenney, The Home Depot, Walgreens, Dollar General, Lowe's Home Improvement, Academy Sports & Outdoors, Macy's
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