Effective immediately, Fredericksburg residents and those visiting the Texas Hill Country city will now be required to wear a face mask or covering in all public places. Although the ordinance goes into effect now, businesses can develop and execute a Health & Safety Plan up until Monday, July 6, 2020. This must be visible to all visitors and employees and include other pandemic mitigation measures. Likewise, a supplemental face mask order was signed on Monday, June 29, 2020 by Mayor Gary Neffendorf, mandating that masks be worn by people age 10 and over in businesses where social distancing at a minimum of six feet is difficult, or when working in areas which require close proximity to others. No one can be punished by the police for not wearing a mask unless that person is in a business without a face mask and refuses to exit when told to do so.
In the order, examples of masks consist of such things as bandanas, homemade face coverings, and handkerchiefs. It was also advised that to avoid an unnecessary demand on equipment that first responders and healthcare workers will need, individuals should not wear medical masks or N-95 respirators. Face masks are not necessary outdoors, driving alone or with those who are reside in the same home, while operating outdoor equipment, or when pumping fuel. They are also not to be used in buildings that require security surveillance (i.e. a bank,) while eating or drinking, and when doing so poses a physical or mental safety or security risk.