Houston mask mandate could defy Texas governor's order

Houston — Houston city workers are being told they must resume wearing masks while on the job, a requirement that could defy Governor Greg Abbott's most recent executive order banning such mandates.

Mayor Sylvester Turner issued the mask mandate on Monday due to a "recent uptick in positive COVID-19 cases in our community and in our workplace linked to the new delta variant." "It is so very important that we remain vigilant in doing our part to reduce the spread of COVID-19," Turner wrote in memo to all city employees. The Houston Chronicle first reported the new order, which requires all employees to wear a mask while on city premises and when they can't be socially distant from others.