City will require wearing 'fabric face coverings' in public under extended stay-at-home order

In addition to extending the stay-at-home order first put into place last month, officials from Austin and Travis County announced today that they are adding a provision that requires people to wear fabric face coverings "when conducting essential work or activities," according to a news release from the city. It goes on:

"Everyone over the age of ten must wear a face covering over their nose and mouth when in a public building, using public transportation or ride shares, pumping gas and while outside when six feet of physical distancing cannot be consistently maintained. A face covering is not required when eating, riding in a personal vehicle, alone in a separate single space, or in the presence of other members of your residence.

Additionally, a face covering is not required when wearing one poses a greater mental or physical health, safety or security risk such as anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cover without assistance."

The "mandatory fabric face coverings" do not need to be medical-grade masks or N-95 respirators, the city specified, which should be reserved for health care professionals and first responders.