TARRANT COUNTY
EXECUTIVE ORDER OF COUNTY JUDGE B. GLEN WHITLEY
ISSUED June 25, 2020
WHEREAS, pursuant to Texas Government Code § 418.108, Tarrant County Judge B. Glen Whitley issued
a Declaration of Local Disaster Due to Public Health Emergency on March 13, 2020 in response to the
imminent threat of widespread illness from COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, the Declaration of Local Disaster declared on March 13, 2020 has remained in place continuously
since such date and shall remain in force and effect until August 31, 2020, unless rescinded by an order of
the Commissioners Court; and
WHEREAS, Governor Greg Abbott, on April 17, 2020, suspended Section 418.1015(b) and 418.108 of the
Texas Government Code, Chapter 81, Subchapter E of the Texas Health and Safety Code, and any other
relevant statutes to the extent necessary to ensure that local officials do not impose restrictions in response
to the COVID-19 disaster that were inconsistent with the Governor's executive orders; and
WHEREAS, Governor Greg Abbott, on or about April 27, 2020, expressed that local officials cannot require
individuals to wear face masks to ensure that individual liberty is not infringed upon by government; and
WHEREAS, Governor Greg Abbott, on June 17, 2020, stated that local governments can require stores and
businesses to require masks; and
WHEREAS, Governor Greg Abbott, on June 23, 2020, amended a previous executive order to allow local
officials to "impose additional restrictions" on outdoor gatherings estimated to be in excess of 100 people in
certain circumstances; and
WHEREAS, it is the intent of this Executive Order to remain consistent with and to harmonize, to the extent
possible, the executive orders of Governor Greg Abbott (as extended or modified); and
WHEREAS, there currently still exists a declaration of public health disaster in and for the State of Texas as
declared by Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and locally
by the approval of the Third Amended Declaration of Local Disaster Due to Public Health Emergency issued
and renewed by Commissioners Court action on June 2, 2020;
WHEREAS, the Tarrant County Judge is authorized to take such actions as are necessary in order to protect
the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Tarrant County by the issuance of executive orders as
necessary so long as such action is consistent with Governor Abbott's executive orders; and
WHEREAS, the transmission of COVID-19 has not dissipated but remains a significant threat to the health
and safety of the Tarrant County Community and rates of infection are increasing at an exponential rate and
the number of people admitted to hospitals, ICU, or on ventilators is also rising despite efforts by local
authorities to control the spread; and
WHEREAS, by the authority vested in me as Tarrant County Judge to continue to protect the health and
safety of the community and address developing and rapidly changing circumstances when presented by the
current public health emergency, I hereby issue this Executive Order.

 Executive Order of County Judge B. Glen Whitley Issued on June 25, 2020
Page 2

THEREFORE, pursuant to Texas Government Code Chapter 418 and the Texas Disaster Act of 1975, be It
Proclaimed and ORDERED by the County Judge that effective at 6:00 p.m. on June 26, 2020, ("Effective
Date") of this executive order and continuing through 6:00 a.m. on August 3, 2020, unless extended,
modified or terminated early by the Tarrant County Judge or the Commissioners Court that:

1.

From the date of this Executive Order, all entities 1 in Tarrant County providing goods or services
directly to the public must develop and implement a health and safety policy ("Health and Safety
Policy"). The Health and Safety Policy must require, at a minimum, that all employees and visitors
to the entity's business premises wear face coverings when in an area or performing an activity
which will necessarily involve close contact or proximity to co-workers or the public. The Health
and Safety Policy may allow individuals with an operational need to remove a face covering so
long as such operational needs are specifically addressed in the Health and Safety Policy. The
Health and Safety Policy may also include the implementation of other mitigating measures
designed to control and reduce the transmission of COVI D-19 such as temperature checks or
health screenings. Entities must post the Health and Safety Policy required by this Executive Order
in a conspicuous location sufficient to provide notice to employees and visitors of all health and
safety requirements. Failure to develop and implement the Health and Safety Policy required by
this Executive Order within five (5) calendar days following the Effective Date may result in a fine
not to exceed $1,000 for each violation pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 418.173. An
example Health and Safety Policy is provided on page 3.

2.

Other than the exceptions specifically provided in the executive orders of Governor Greg Abbott,
individuals in areas open to the public where social distancing is not feasible and where it is
estimated that 100 people or more are present, are required to wear masks.

3.

All people 10 years or older are strongly urged to wear a face covering over their nose and mouth
when in an area open to the public where it is difficult to keep six feet away from other people or
working in areas that involve proximity with coworkers. The CDC advises face coverings for people
2 years or older. Face coverings may include homemade masks, scarfs, bandanas, or a
handkerchief. Tarrant County residents should continue to maintain social distancing of at least
six feet while outside their home.

4.

The requirement of a face covering does not apply if covering the nose and mouth poses a
significant mental or physical health risk to the individual. The requirement of a face covering also
does not apply when an individual is consuming a food or beverage or receiving a service where
the wearing of a face covering would impair the performance of the service.

5.

Any peace officer or other person with lawful authority is hereby authorized to enforce the
provisions of this Executive Order as permitted by law.

ORDERED this the 25th day of June 2020.

1

For purposes of this Executive Order, the term "entities" shall include sole proprietorships.

 Executive Order of County Judge B. Glen Whitley Issued on June 25, 2020
Page 3

Example Health and Safety Policy
The virus that causes COVI D-19 can be spread to others by infected persons who have few or no
symptoms. Because of the hidden nature of this threat, it is the policy of this business to require
the following:
1. FACE COVERING REQUIRED IN ORDER TO ENTER AND REMAIN ON PREMISES. All persons over
the age of ten (10), including employees, customers, visitors, invitees and contractors ("Patrons"), who enter
this business must wear a face covering over their nose and mouth, such as a homemade mask, scarf,
bandana, or handkerchief.
• The requirement of a face covering does not apply if covering the nose and mouth poses a significant
mental or physical health risk to the individual.
• The requirement of a face covering also does not apply when an individual is consuming a food or
beverage or receiving a service where the wearing of a mask would impair the performance of the
service.
2. SOCIAL DISTANCING PROTOCOLS. Even with the use of appropriate face coverings, individuals should
maintain six feet of social distancing whenever possible.
• Employees should not work within six (6) feet of one another, except to the extent necessary to
provide services.
• Patrons should maintain six (6) feet of separation from other individuals outside their household, to
the extent feasible when inside the business premises.
• Patrons of the business queuing or waiting inside or on the premises of the business must maintain
six (6) feet of separation from other individuals outside their household.
3. VIOLATIONS. Patrons who do not wear a face covering will be asked to leave the premises and will not
be provided goods or services until the face covering requirements are followed.
4. NOTICE AND SIGNAGE. Notice of this Health and Safety Policy will be posted in a conspicuous location
of the business.