Harris County is requiring that all people over the age of 10 years wear a mask when in public, effective Monday and lasting for 30 days.

While she said the masks were mandatory, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has intervened and ruled out fines for those who refuse to wear a mask.

Exemptions include eating, drinking, exercising, or when wearing a mask poses a risk to mental or physical health.

Reasonable alternatives to surgical masks include bandannas, scarfs, handkerchief, or anything else that can cover the nose and mouth.

“If we get complacent, people die,” said Harris County Judge Lina Hildago said in a press conference.

Hildago also stressed that wearing a mask in public is not a replacement for social distancing; citizens should be staying home as much as possible and only leaving for essentials.