Laredo appears to be one of the first US cities to mandate people cover their nose, mouth

A food delivery worker in Cardiff, Wales, is seen wearing an N95 mask on March 8. Although many Laredoans immediately condemned the idea, starting Thursday they will have to wear something that covers their nose and mouth if they enter any building that is not their house, such as H-E-B, gas stations and even their place of work. less A food delivery worker in Cardiff, Wales, is seen wearing an N95 mask on March 8. Although many Laredoans immediately condemned the idea, starting Thursday they will have to wear something that covers their ... more Photo: CBSI/CNET Photo: CBSI/CNET Image 1 of / 68 Caption Close Laredo appears to be one of the first US cities to mandate people cover their nose, mouth 1 / 68 Back to Gallery

Although many Laredoans immediately condemned the idea, starting Thursday they will have to wear something that covers their nose and mouth if they enter any building that is not their house, such as H-E-B, gas stations and even their place of work.

READ MORE: City of Laredo, Webb Co. confirm third COVID-related death

Mayor Pete Saenz said Wednesday at a virtual press briefing that they are still working out a couple kinks of this mandate, which was ordered by City Council at their Tuesday night virtual meeting; For instance, if broadcast journalists will have to wear masks while on air, or if customers at the bank should approach a teller with a mask on.

“People that enter their lobbies with a mask obviously present an awkward, delicate situation, especially at a financial institution,” Saenz said. “So we’re trying to go through those scenarios and see if we can carve out some common sense approaches to it.”

On Facebook, hundreds of Laredo residents expressed indignation about being forced by the city to purchase a mask, especially since they are so hard to come by right now.

However City Council never mandated that people wear masks specifically — people can wear a bandana, a scarf or even a spare piece of fabric as long as it covers their nose and mouth.

In fact at a noon press briefing on Wednesday, City Manager Robert Eads begged that people not seek out N95 masks in order to comply with this order. Those masks should be reserved for doctors, nurses and other health care workers, he said.

“All we’re doing is asking and requiring the public to cover themselves, cover their mouths and noses,” Eads said.

For weeks doctors and entities such as the World Health Organization have said that it is unnecessary for healthy people to wear masks in public during the COVID-19 pandemic. However because so many people who become infected with the virus never show symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now considering advising everyone to wear masks.

“The idea of getting a much more broad communitywide use of masks outside of the health care setting is under very active discussion at the task force,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CNN. “The CDC group is looking at that very carefully.”

Laredo appears to be one of the first cities to adopt this kind of regulation. Health officials in Riverside County, California, west of Los Angeles, have recommended people cover their noses and mouths while in public.

However, this is a recommendation; the City of Laredo is ordering that people take this precaution, or else face a fine of up to $1,000.

The mandate goes into effect April 1 and lasts until April 30. Likewise City Council has enacted a curfew for all residents from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. People can only be out during these hours if they are working or need essentials at that moment. Council also voted to extend the Stay at Home Work Safe order that has closed many local businesses and banned all public and private gatherings unless deemed essential.

More public spaces are closing as this virus continues to spread locally. On Wednesday the Webb County District Clerk’s Office and Tax Assessor Collector’s Office both announced they have closed to the public for the time being.

READ MORE: Laredo residents who enter a building that is not their home must cover their nose, mouth

The District Clerk’s Office is still reachable by phone and email. All transactions at the tax office must now be made online, by drop box, phone or mail. Only checks and money orders will be accepted by drop box or mail.

Julia Wallace may be reached at 956-728-2543 or jwallace@lmtonline.com