State implements face-covering mandate as virus hits home

The startling wave of new COVID-19 cases across the United States has hit especially hard in the state of Texas, where major changes continue to be made to combat the virus.

In one of the biggest steps taken thus far to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, Governor Greg Abbott issued a statewide face-covering mandate on July 2, which went into effect 12:01 p.m. July 3.

The order, Executive Order No. GA-29, requires residents living in counties with more than 20 active virus cases to wear a face-covering over the nose and mouth while in a business or other building open to the public, as well as outdoor public spaces whenever social distancing is not possible. As of Monday, Freestone County is at 32 positive virus cases, with 16 cases remaining active, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services COVID-19 Dashboard.

While Freestone is currently under 20 active cases, the county remains under the mandate.

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