H-E-B to require customers to wear face coverings in stores again

AUSTIN, Texas - H-E-B will be complying with the latest orders from Travis and Hays counties that mandates all area businesses to develop and implement health and safety policies related to COVID-19.

According to an H-E-B spokesperson, effective Monday, June 22, all customers must wear a face-covering in order to enter a store. The company says they will continue to require masks or facial coverings to be worn by all H-E-B partners and vendors.

Petition calls for HEB to require facemasks for shoppers

More than 40,000 people have called for the Texas-based grocery chain to require all shoppers wear a mask or face-covering when inside the store.

The company also says that the first several days of the transition the store will have a limited amount of free masks available to customers that may "arrive unaware of the new mask mandates."

The Travis County order came a day after Austin Mayor Steve Adler issued a supplemental order requiring face coverings in Austin.

Austin's order, which supplements Adler's previous order extending the stay-at-home order through August 15, required all businesses providing goods or services directly to the public to "develop and implement a health and safety policy or plan related to COVID-19."

Austin Mayor Adler issues order requiring face masks

A new supplemental order requiring face coverings in Austin has been issued by Mayor Adler. What does it mean? FOX 7 Austin's Tierra Neubaum explains.

On Tuesday, Gov. Abbott held a press conference on the rising COVID-19 numbers across the state. "The increased occupancy of hospital beds, it does raise concerns but as shown today there's no reason to be alarmed. The reason is even though there are more people hospitalized we still remain at the lowest threat level in our hospital capacity,” said Abbott.

The governor has yet to release face mask regulations across the state.

Gov. Abbott says recent COVID-19 spike is a concern, but not alarming

The Governor said there are several different reasons why there are more people testing positive for the virus.

Read the full statement below:

H-E-B fully supports our local government officials and their dedication to keeping the health and safety of residents a top priority. Effective Monday June 22nd, in collaboration and compliance with local orders, H-E-B and Central Market stores in the City of Austin as well as Travis and Hays Counties will require all customers to wear masks or facial coverings.

H-E-B continues to require the use of masks or facial coverings by all of our Partners and vendors. Beginning on Monday, through the first several days of the transition, we will have a limited supply of free masks available for customers that may arrive unaware of the new mask mandates.

The CDC and State health officials strongly support the use of facial coverings in public as a proven way to slow the spread of COVID-19. #SlowTheSpread

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