TO MASK OR NOT TO MASK?

RED OAK – Rumor was that Red Oak’s Mayor Mark Stanfill, DVM had issued a new mask order requirement in the city last week.

Turns out that is not true.

The confusion was apparently in the way the latest city resolution was written to comply with law, and some residents who read the June 4 resolution were confused.

“We don’t have a mask order,” Red Oak City Manager Todd Fuller explained.

Resolution 21–034 required face masks to be worn only inside city owned facilities. It did not apply to private businesses. 

“Subsequently, Governor Abbott provided executive order GA-36, which restricted local government entities from requiring face coverings in their own facilities,” Fuller said. 

“Private businesses can still require face coverings for their own facilities at their choice. 

“Once GA-36 was established our Resolution 21-034R became unenforceable as it pertained to face coverings within city owned facilities.”

The city’s new Resolution 21-044R amended 21-034R to comply with GA-36 by removing the requirement of face coverings inside city owned facilities.

“To comply with Governor Abbott’s orders, the City of Red Oak no longer requires face masks anywhere in the city limits,” concluded. 

“On Wednesday, June 2, the city council updated the emergency order that had required face coverings in Red Oak. 

“At that time we were only requiring them on city property, but now we don’t require them at all.

“We still recommend that unvaccinated people wear face masks to protect themselves.”