Amarillo dropped below 15 percent hospitalization capacity for COVID-19 this week, but local officials say the mask mandate for the city’s residents is still in effect.

According to the City of Amarillo, Governor Greg Abbott’s executive order, GA 29, requiring the wearing of face masks is still in effect. City manager Jared Miller said in a statement that the wearing of masks is still necessary in our community.

“It is of utmost importance that Amarillo residents maintain their commitment to protecting themselves and others by continuing to wear face masks,” Miller said. “The commitment our citizens have shown to wearing face masks is one of the primary reasons for the decrease in our COVID-19 hospitalization rate. It is vital that we continue to follow state executive orders that are proving successful in stopping the spread of COVID-19 in our community.”

The discussion over masks in Amarillo is not a new one. Amarillo City Council members passed an ordinance late last year that mandated $2,000 fines for businesses not enforcing the mask mandate in the city. Officials have said that due to the drop in hospitalizations related to COVID-19, the fines will not be enforced at the moment.

For more information, visit amarillo.gov.