Blackburn called for the mask requirement after talking to the countyâs three major health care providers â Baylor Scott & White, AdventHealth and Seton â and the Bell County ⦠Graham Regional Medical Center issued a statement announcing the facility was at full bed capacity, the Safford City Council voted against a resolution of support for the Graham County mask mandate. Even if Bell County does not make the working more strict, local cities could still create their own orders on the matter. The order will require all employees and customers to wear masks when they cannot be six feet apart. This document guides the opening of Texas. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Graham County mask mandate starts Thanksgiving Day To slow the spread of COVID-19, the Graham County Board of Supervisors - from left, Paul David, Danny Smith and Jim Palmer - voted unanimously Wednesday to enact a countywide face covering requirement in effect Nov. 26 through Jan. 5, 2021. Schneider said they would be evaluating the measures they are taking daily and it could be changed at a later time. Bell commissioners strip face mask requirement from county judgeâs order Bell County Commissioners voted Monday to amend a directive that ordered businesses in ⦠BELL COUNTY, Texas â Update: Killeen Mayor Jose Segarra issued an order to mandate the use of face masks in all businesses in the city Wednesday morning. A ⦠Jim Justice issued a new âultra mandatoryâ mask mandate in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. Bell County COVID Dashboard Business Face Coverings - Signage Template Click Here for the Application For Outdoor Gathering WARNING from Food and Drug Administration - FDA warns consumers of risk of methanol contamination in certain hand sanitizers. "That's another item to consider, making sure employees wear the masks and not the patron. Starting Monday, face masks are now mandatory in all indoor public places and crowded outdoor spaces. Bell County Judge David Blackburn told commissioners Monday morning that all hospital representatives in the area have recommended face coverings. City considering a mask mandate. This includes all Virginians age five and up. That's a good idea," Schneider said. Bell County Judge David Blackburn and Amanda Robison-Chadwell, the Bell County Public Health District director, announced the suggestion â which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued last week â Tuesday afternoon. Knoxville residents weigh in on Memphis, Nashville mask mandates News. Compliance rose to 90% after a statewide mandate went into effect in August. Bell County Judge David Blackburn subsequently announced on Wednesday that the county will be implementing a mandate to wear masks or face coverings inside Bell County businesses that âprovide goods and services directly to the public,â starting Monday, June 29 and continuing through at least Monday, July 13. Posted: Jun 26, 2020 / 11:30 PM EDT / Updated: Jun 28, 2020 / 11:55 PM EDT. Bell County residents should continue to maintain social distancing of at least six feet while outside their home. COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCSC/WIS) - Two South Carolina lawmakers are pushing for a statewide mask mandate ahead of the 2021 legislative session, but three others hope to block any effort to enforce one. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. All businesses (this includes all offices and departments of Bell County) shall require employees, including volunteers, to have a face covering when either in an area or performing an activity which will necessarily involve close contact or proximity to co-workers or the public, where six (6) feet of separation from other individuals is not feasible; B. The commissioners later voted to remove the mandate and any enforcement penalty on Monday. "I recognize that this is somewhat intrusive on our businesses, but it's far less intrusive than closing the business," Blackburn said. BELL COUNTY, Texas â Bell County Judge David Blackburn issued a directive Wednesday requiring the use of face masks for businesses including their employees and customers. TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas â On Friday, Travis County Judge Sam Biscoe extended the countyâs mask order, requiring residents to wear face coverings when in public, until Dec. 15, 2020. The warmup is here for all to cheer | Central Texas Forecast, Early morning shooting leaves one man dead in Temple, Texans drop to 4-11 with 37-31 loss to Bengals at NRG, Baseball Hall of Famer, knuckleballer Phil Niekro dies at 81, US Attorney: Suspect in downtown Nashville bombing died in blast, Workers install 192 crystals on Times Square New Year's ball. Earlier this month, West Virginia Gov. FLOYD COUNTY, Ind. News. It comes after the number of COVID-19 cases in the county has steadily increased. "The directive is intended to help stem the trend lines we are now seeing in the number of new cases in Bell County and to help us maintain our hospital capacity," said Blackburn. Bell ringers win jewelry Video. Bell County Judge David Blackburn issued Directive 7 on Wednesday, June 24th that mandates the use of face coverings. The jump in cases brought the seven day average from 26 Tuesday to 33 Wednesday. Greg Abbott issued an executive order Thursday requiring residents across the state to wear a face-covering in public spaces in counties with 20 or more positive Covid-19 cases. Greg Abbott said about the possibility of another state shut down. Blackburn also directly addressed the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Bell County and in Texas. Blackburn said Directive seven goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. Monday, June 29 and will continue until July 13. Tuesday, there were 41 cases and an eleventh person died from the virus. Killeen Mayor Jose Segarra issued an order to mandate the use of face masks in all businesses in the city Wednesday morning. City considering a mask mandate Toggle header content. Bell County COVID 19 FAQ Responses are subject to change Revised 06 24 2020 4 00PM When can my business open Will there be stipulations to opening Governor Abbott issued The Governor rsquo s Report to Open Texas on April 27, 2020. From the effective date of this Directive, all businesses and commercial entities (âbusinessesâ) in Bell County providing goods or services directly to the public must develop and implement a health and safety policy (âHealth and Safety Policyâ). Posted By: David Bell December 1, 2020. That directive was quickly amended to Directive Eight by Monday afternoon to say "it is strongly recommended" that business require masks because several commissioners said Monday it was not clear how businesses would deal with customers who refused to wear a mask. He worried that failure to act would mean even greater consequences down the road. "Out of 1,027 total staffed hospital beds, 79% of those beds are occupied and there are only 13 ICU beds available as of 3:50 pm Tuesday," Blackburn said. The analysis also found that Horry Countyâs mask mandate coincided with a leveling-off of deaths caused by COVID-19. The Health and Safety Policy must require, at a minimum, the following: A. Gas pipeline explodes in Burt County, Neb., causing fire ... Video. The order did not override any stricter policy that Waco and other McLennan County cities have already adopted. "In fact, I think the message is we will see a return to some measures that none of us want to see return.". Masks are now mandatory for county employees, following a decision by the Campbell County Commissioners during their regular meeting Tuesday morning. I really want to hear ideas on best enforcement.". The CDC advises face coverings for people 2 years or older. Bell County Directive #8 (EN ESPAÑOL) - Effective immediately and continuing through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, July 13, 2020. As case numbers rose, mask wearing also went up, even though there was still no mandate. "I'm sure it will be on our agenda Monday again and all the phone calls and emails I've got I try to talk to them individually. Bell County Commissioners walk back mask mandate to help businesses Commissioners say the mandate put a burden on businesses and created confusion on how the mandate should be enforced. A federal judge says Pennsylvania may continue enforcing its mask mandate and perform contact tracing. Blackburn also addressed what Gov. When it ⦠And businesses will now have to find a way ⦠Killeen Mayor Jose Segarra told 6 News their would be a Wednesday press conference related to the issue. The Bell County Public Health District reported 83 new cases Wednesday, the largest one day increase by more than double. Bell County employees are not exempt from these recommendations. ... Pirates First Baseman Josh Bell Traded To Washington ... Mercer County ⦠City considering a mask mandate ... Financial coaching program helps Iowans Video. RELATED: HEB to require masks for customers in cities with no mandate, RELATED: VERIFY: Face mask exemption cards are fake, RELATED: Mask order in Bell County no longer mandatory, but 'strongly encouraged,' commissioners say. Anyone wishing to contact their local commissioners court have find contact information for the Bell County Commissioners here and the McLennan County Commissioners here. Blackburn said he was advised by the largest private health care provider in the county that they have, "the largest number of COVID patients that they have had since the pandemic began.". â Indiana's governor re-extended the state's mask mandate, but Floyd County in southern Indiana is taking it a step further. If you currently use an antenna to watch TV for free, you may need to re-scan your television set to continue to receive these TV channels. All businesses shall require that all visitors, to include contractors and vendors, wear face coverings while on the businessâs premises; C. All businesses shall post the Health and Safety Policy required by this Directive in a conspicuous location sufficient to provide notice to employees, volunteers, and visitors; and D. The Health and Safety Policy required to be developed and implemented by this Directive may also include other mitigating measures designed to control and reduce the transmission of COVID19 such as temperature checks and health screening. Here is the exact wording of Directive Seven: Health and Safety Policy - Commercial Entities. "I would much rather manage this as best we can locally than have the state manage it on a statewide level.". When 6 News asked if there was a middle ground where masks would only be required of employees, Schneider said they still have more options to look at and his is welcoming the public to reach out. BELL COUNTY, TX â Bell County Crime Stoppers has been recognized by the State of Texas and Crime Stoppers International as one of the most productive programs per population in the world. Face coverings may include homemade masks, scarfs, bandanas, or a handkerchief. The warmup is here for all to cheer | Central Texas Forecast, Early morning shooting leaves one man dead in Temple, Texans drop to 4-11 with 37-31 loss to Bengals at NRG, Baseball Hall of Famer, knuckleballer Phil Niekro dies at 81, US Attorney: Suspect in downtown Nashville bombing died in blast, Workers install 192 crystals on Times Square New Year's ball, HEB to require masks for customers in cities with no mandate, VERIFY: Face mask exemption cards are fake, Mask order in Bell County no longer mandatory, but 'strongly encouraged,' commissioners say. Small business owners in Killeen, Harker Heights, Temple, Belton and Salado reacted positively to Bell Countyâs mask requirement. The Governor also issued a proclamation giving mayors and county judges the ability to impose restrictions on some outdoor gatherings of over 10 people, and making it mandatory that, with certain exceptions, people cannot be in groups larger than ten and must maintain six feet of social distancing from others. The measures also expand the mask mandate to include all indoor settings, as well as outdoors when social distancing isnât possible. Central Texas COVID-19 recoveries, cases, deaths | Live updates, Killeen church to provide drive-thru food distribution, Midway ISD student-athlete tests positive for COVID-19. Hospital capacity is becoming a "concern" with largest number of patients since pandemic began, County Judge David Blackburn said. "I think itâs burdensome and confusing to mandate businesses to have to be the police on this deal,â Commissioner Bobby Whitson said. Bell County is now recommending all residents to wear a fabric face mask in public. Face Coverings - General Public. Iowa NG greetings 5 p.m. Last week, Segarra said he would order a mask mandate for Killeen if Bell County officials failed to do so at the county level. Commissioners say the mandate put a burden on businesses and created confusion on how the mandate should be enforced. Josh Bell jbell@thesunnews.com. WHEREAS, pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 418.108 Bell County Judge David Blackburn declared a state of local disaster on March 18, 2020 due to imminent threat arising from COVID-19; and WHEREAS, in accordance with Texas Government Code Section 418.108(b), on March 23, 2020, the by: Jordan Brown. Bell County Commissioners voted Monday to change the wording of newly-enacted Directive Seven, issued by County Judge David Blackburn last Friday, less than 24 hours after it had gone into effect that required businesses to have all employees and patrons wear masks. Counties must apply to be exempt from governorâs mask order Texas counties with 20 or fewer active cases can apply for an exemption to the face-covering requirement, but ⦠Unlike local orders, the mask mandate can be enforced. SAFFORD â On the same day that Mt. Bell County officials are also strongly recommending that anyone over the age of 10 should wear a face-covering over their nose and mouth when in public spaces. "If someone comes in your establishment and doesn't want to wear a mask...at some point they would have to call a law enforcement agency and I hope the business owner wouldn't think they have to drag that person out of the business," Commissioner Russell Schneider said. Bell County Reacts to Mask Mandate Attention: KWKT (Waco, Temple Killeen area) and KYLE (Bryan, College Station area) moved to different frequencies. County leaders first enacted the face mask requirement in response to a spike in coronavirus cases here, including a high of 396 on July 3. BELL COUNTY, Texas â Bell County Judge David Blackburn issued a directive Wednesday requiring the use of face masks for businesses including their employees and customers. TAZEWELL, Tenn. (WVLT) - The Claiborne County mayor issued a county-wide mask mandate Friday night. However the Eau Claire City-County Health Department says it has received complaints of businesses not complying with the order. Texas Gov. Blackburn said his biggest concern was the hospital bed capacity in Trauma Service Area L which includes Bell County and several other counties. The ⦠Nonprofits help spread Christmas cheer Video. ... told FME News Service he knew the mask mandate ⦠Temple Mayor Tim Davis told 6 News he is still following the County's lead at this time, though that may change. The mandate passed with a majority of four commissioners in favor, and one against. "I think the message he is sending us is that if we donât see the numbers turn around, he is prepared to step back in and issue more mandate," Blackburn said. Meanwhile in McLennan County, County Judge Scott Felton also signed an order Tuesday that also "strongly recommended" businesses develop a health and safety policy requiring everyone in the business to wear a mask. The total was 903. When Commissioner Russell Schneider spoke with 6 News Tuesday, however, it turns out the current language could be reconsidered. From the effective date of this Directive, it is strongly recommended that all people 10 years or older should wear a face covering over their nose and mouth when in a public place where it is difficult to keep six feet away from other people or working in areas that involve close proximity with other coworkers. Health Department says it has received complaints of businesses not complying with the order will require all employees customers... 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