Harris Co. Public Health Authority requiring teachers, students in public schools to wear masks

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FILE - A face mask production line at an OOO Medsklad production facility at BEMZ Berdsk Electromechanical Plant in the town of Berdsk, Novosibirsk Region.

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas - As the battle against mask mandates wages on between lawmakers and schools, the Harris Co. Public Health Authority has put its foot down on a decision.

According to an order issued Thursday, officials say effective immediately, all public and non-religious private schools in Harris Co. will be required to follow CDC recommendations to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Among them involve requiring staff members and students - regardless of vaccination status - to wear masks indoors.

"School Systems and Child Care Centers within Harris County shall follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for universal indoor masking and require all students (age 2 and older), staff, teachers, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a face mask indoors while on school property and school buses," the order reads.

FULL VIDEO: Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo speaks regarding order requiring masks in public schools, child care centers

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo held a Zoom interview Thursday evening to address an order that was issued by the local health authority that will require masks in public schools and child care centers in Harris County.

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Additionally, the order says school authorities will be required to notify parents if their child comes into close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

"Unvaccinated individuals who are determined to be in close contact with a COVID-19 positive person shall quarantine for 14 days after their last contact with a person who has COVID-19, as recommended by the CDC. Students, staff, teachers," the order continues. "And visitors shall remain off-campus and not attend any school-sponsored events during their quarantine period."

You can read the full order below or by clicking here.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo also sent a letter to school superintendents regarding the order. Click here to view or read below.

Harris County joins Fort Bend County in requiring masks in schools as they announced a lawsuit seeing a temporary restraining order against Governor Abbott's executive order, GA-38.

Several Houston-area school districts have already announced some type of mask mandate in defiance of Abbott's order.

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Late Wednesday night, Texas Governor Greg Abbott responded to the decisions by the school districts and local government officials who are choosing not to follow his order by stating he would "take them to court."