Some Facilities to Keep Mask Requirements Despite States Lifting Mandates

Facility owners and managers have the authority to set and enforce rules for those who work in and visit their buildings, regardless of state rulings. When the mask mandate lifts in Texas on Wednesday, state residents will need to keep their masks on hand for entering some retail facilities, as well as attending school and using public transportation, KVUE-TV reports.

Several orders from both U.S. President Joe Biden and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) require that masks still be worn in certain places, such as federal buildings and on public transportation. The Texas Education Authority (TEA) updated its Public Health Guidance to keep mask mandates in place depending on the determination of local school boards. Many school districts say they have no plans to lift mask mandates in their buildings and on their campuses.

Although the latest Texas executive order allows all businesses to open to 100% capacity, businesses may still limit capacity or require masks. Retailers that plan to keep mask mandates include Kroger, Target, Best Buy, Macy’s and Starbucks, USA Today reports. Kroger has committed to its mask mandate until all its frontline employees have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

Many office workers will also need to remain masked as numerous commercial building owners and operators, who have spent months of work and millions of dollars to help protect their facility occupants from infection, do not plan to relax their COVID-19 safety protocols, The Dallas Morning News reports.

Office building owners and operators have installed upgraded air filtration systems as well as touch-free entrance systems and elevator controls. They plan to continue enforcing CDC guidelines related to mask wearing, social distancing, and cleaning as more employees start returning to their offices.

Hospitals, colleges, and airports, including El Paso International Airport, will also continue enforcing the use of face masks, according to Border Report. El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego and El Pas Mayor Oscar Leeser said although their legal authority to countermand Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s order lifting the mask mandate is limited, they are still encouraging local businesses to follow pandemic protocols and will order them to limit their occupancy rates if hospitalization rates exceed 15% for seven consecutive days.