RO mayor mandates face masks for residents

RED OAK – On July 14, Red Oak Mayor Mark Stanfill went beyond the order issued by Ellis County Judge Todd Little and decided to make it mandatory for Red Oak residents and those visiting the city to wear a mask.

In his resolution, the mayor said this was extending his declaration of a state of emergency originally issued in March due to COVID-19.

At that time, Stanfill put restrictions on gatherings, assemblies and the need for social distancing in addition to the mandatory wearing of masks in public. 

In June, Governor Abbott amended his orders to reopen Texas and extended his state of emergency until Aug. 19.

Stanfill has extended his order until Aug. 10 for the state of emergency in Red Oak, adopting a supplemental order to, “protect the health, welfare and safety of the citizens of Red Oak,” the resolution reads.

According to some residents in Ellis County, this mandatory requirement in Red Oak has limited their shopping and spending money in that city.  

“Instead of going to Red Oak for shopping or having my nails done or other tasks that would give money to that city’s economy, I choose to go to another town in the area where the mandates are not so restrictive,” said one local resident who ask not to be named.