Gov. Greg Abbott and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton are asking the state's Fifth Court of Appeals to block a new Dallas County order requiring face coverings. Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins announced Wednesday masks will be required in public schools, businesses and child care centers.
On Thursday, Jenkins updated his executive order on face masks. It now calls for all public higher education institutions in the county to implement indoor masking policies. The order also specifies that employees of commercial businesses — and county employees —don't have to wear masks when alone in the office, among other changes.
"The health and safety policy must require at a minimum universal indoor masking for all employees and visitors," Jenkins said when announcing the order.
Governor Abbott is seeking to strike down Dallas County's order as a growing number of cities and counties challenge his ban on mask mandates. Jenkins issued the new mask policy after a state district judge granted his request for a temporary restraining order against Abbott's executive order.
