Leander Cancels Special Meeting On Coronavirus Mask Wearing

LEANDER, TX — A special meeting that had been scheduled for Tuesday related to the wearing of face coverings to mitigate spread of the coronavirus has been canceled, officials said on Monday.

In canceling the council gathering, Mayor Troy Hill deferred to an executive order issued by Gov. Greg Abbott last week that took effect on July 3 requring all Texas residents to don protective face coverings covering the nose and mouth when in public places. The order supersedes similar local inititiatives, Hill explained, so he opted to allow his municipality's disaster declaration to expire on Wednesday.

"Since Governor Abbott's order supersedes our local order on social distancing and masks, Mayor Hill did not see a need to extend his declaration," Leander spokesperson Mike Neu said in a prepared statement. "But citizens should know they can still voice their concerns or opinions on any local issue to all city council members by email or phone."

Don't miss the latest coronavirus updates from health and government officials in the Austin area. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters for what you need to know daily.

To that end, contact information for each member of Leander City Council is available on the city website, and citizens can email (link sends e-mail)citycouncil@leandertx.gov (link sends e-mail) to message all council members as a group.

Individuals who have submitted requests for public comments during the July 7 special meeting will be notified of the cancellation, Neu added, and all comment requests will be shared with Leander City Council by email.

Related stories:

• Coronavirus: Round Rock Makes Masks Mandatory
  
• Leander Issues Physical Distancing Order Amid Coronavirus Spikes
• Cedar Park To Require Masks As Coronavirus Spikes
• Texas Governor Mandates Face Masks Amid Coronavirus Spikes

The next regularly scheduled city council meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday, July 16.

Other surrounding communities implemented local mask mandates to buttress the importance of wearing the face coverings amid a respiratory illness pandemic, including such cities as Round Rock and Cedar Park.