Texas City Fines Individuals Who Refuse To Wear Face Masks

Via American Action News:

A city in Texas is taking drastic measures to combat the coronavirus pandemic: mandatory fines for individuals caught not wearing a face mask.

Per Fox News:

The city of Laredo in Texas is now requiring all residents to wear a mask any time they enter a building that is not their home, or face up to a $1,000 fine.

Beginning Thursday, the ordinance approved by the Laredo City Council mandated that anyone entering a building, using public transit or pumping their gas must cover their nose and mouth with a mask, bandana, scarf or any cloth or face a fine up to $1,000. The rule will remain in place until April 30.

“This does not apply when a person is: engaging in a permissible outside physical activity; that are riding in a personal vehicle; that are in alone in a separate single space; that are with their own shelter group (household members); when doing so poses a greater health, safety or security risk; or for consumption purposes,” the City of Laredo said in a press release.

The council also voted to extend a curfew to pertain to all citizens requiring them to stay in their homes between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless they are out for essential services. Otherwise, they may face a fine of between $50 and $1,000 or jail time of up to 180 days.

The announcement comes amid reports the Trump administration is going to recommend the expanded use of face masks for the general public.