Hidalgo County judge mandates use of facial coverings and 24-hour curfew for minors

Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez issued new, stricter orders that will go into effect at midnight and stay in effect until April 30.

“I’ll be amending the order to include some additional measures in order to help the spread of this COVID-19 and extend the order to April 30, 2020,” Cortez said in a Hidalgo County Commissioners Court meeting today.

Hidalgo County Spokesman Carlos Sanchez said via Facebook Live today that the additional measures include a mandate for all residents to use facial coverings while outdoors and in buildings open to the public. 

“The order encourages people to use homemade masks, bandanas or handkerchiefs [and] is specifically [asking] people not to use medical grade masks,” Sanchez said. “Those masks should be saved for healthcare professionals.”

Sanchez said restaurant workers will also be required to wear masks while performing takeout, drive-thru and delivery functions. 

“People will not be required to wear masks while driving or exercising, as long as those exercises observe the 6-foot physical separation rule,” he said. 

To help strengthen the current shelter-at-home order, Cortez has issued a 24-hour curfew for all people under the age of 17, Sanchez said. 

“Unless they’re [minors] under the supervision of an accompanied parent or guardian, that person will not be allowed on the streets, unless that person is involved in an essential activity or in an emergency,” Sanchez said. 

Cortez also issued a new curfew for residents of Hidalgo County. The new curfew will be from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. and essential workers and emergencies are the only exceptions. 

“All businesses and unincorporated areas will be expected to adopt WorkSafe measures that observe the 6-foot physical distance rule, as well as good hygiene rules,” Sanchez said. 

Hidalgo County will accept WorkSafe plans that other incorporated cities have already required of businesses. 

Sanchez also gave Hidalgo County residents an update about COVID-19 testing. In Hidalgo County, 984 tests have been conducted with 113 testing positive and 781 negative. There are still 90 tests pending for results. 

Fourteen of the positive individuals are in the hospital, with four being in ICU. 

“We are seeing the number of cases double every four days or so,” Cortez said in a news release Monday. “This is in line with what we have expected and I can’t emphasize enough that the safest place for everyone is in their homes.”