Face covering or $1000 fine: Texas city takes drastic measures against Coronavirus

City leaders in Laredo, Texas, are now requiring people to wear face coverings out in public — or risk a large fine.

On April 1, the Laredo City Council issued an emergency ordinance in an effort to slow the spread of Coronavirus.

Per this order, starting at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, April 2, 2020, all persons over the age of 5 inside the city must wear some form of covering over their nose and mouth, such as a homemade mask, scarf, bandana, or handkerchief when performing many activities.

These activities include: entering into or inside of any building open to the public, using public transportation, taxis, or ride shares, and pumping gas/fuel.

For truck drivers passing through Laredo, this would mean face coverings would be required when fueling at a truck stop, entering a shipper or receiver, or entering a grocery store.

Face coverings are not required in the following circumstances: when engaging in permissible outside physical activity, when riding in a personal vehicle, when alone in a separate single space, when with their own shelter group (household members), when doing so poses a greater health, safety or security risk, or for consumption purposes.

Violators can be charged with a misdemeanor and punished with a fine of up to $1000.

The face mask requirement is in place until April 30, 2020.

You can click here to view the emergency ordinance.