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City of Houston begins handing out thousands of free masks on Saturday

Houston and Harris County residents will be required to wear facial coverings in public, beginning next week.

HOUSTON — Harris County will begin enforcing an order requiring residents to wear facial coverings on Monday, April 27.

The order requires residents over the age of 10 to wear a face covering, which can be a homemade mask, scarf, bandana, or handkerchief.

Late Friday, the City of Houston announced several sites that will be distributing free masks,  beginning Saturday.

RELATED: Risk a $1,000 fine if you don't cover your face in public in Houston, Harris County

RELATED: 'Liberty and freedom' | Other counties say they will not require masks like Harris County, Houston

Saturday, April 25

District D Council Member Carolyn Evans-Shabazz
11 a.m. Sunnyside Multi-Service Center
9314 Cullen Blvd.

District F City Council member Tiffany Thomas
4 p.m. Crump Stadium located in Alief ISD.
12321 High Star Dr

District I City Council Member Robert Gallegos
9 - 11 a.m. Our Lady of the Sea Catholic Church
1401 Fidelity

Monday, April 27

District A Council Member Amy Peck
9 - 10 a.m.(all locations) *Locations will be drive up only.
Carverdale Community Center
9920 Porto Rico Road

Freed Park Community Center
6186 Shadyvilla Lane

White Oak Conference Center
7603 Antoine Drive

District D Council Member Carolyn Evans-Shabazz
11 a.m. Mount Hebron Missionary Baptist Church
7817 Calhoun Rd.

District I Council Member Robert Gallegos
8 a.m - 1 p.m. The Tejano Center
2950 Broadway

9 a.m. 3 30 p.m. Community Family Center
7524 Avenue E

Tuesday, April 28 

District K Council Member Martha Castex-Tatum
9 a.m. Fountain of Life Center
14065 Main St.

District J Council Member Edward Pollard
10 a.m. Plaza Americas Mall
7500 Bellaire Blvd

Not sure which council member represents you? Find out here: http://www.houstontx.gov/council/whoismycm.html

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said anyone caught without a could be fined up to $1,000, but Saturday, Mayor Sylvester Turner said the city will not be giving citations.

“In the city of Houston, we are not giving citations. Police are not going to be citing people we are going to be distributing masks to people getting on the bus light rail its mask over citations,” Turner said.

Saturday morning, they started doing just that. Handing out free masks to residents who need them. Three sites were open all across the city.

“Anywhere from 4,000 to 6,000 at this site. And council members throughout the city are distributing masks today. They will be doing some Sunday, Monday and Tuesday,” Turner said.

Turner launched his Mask Up campaign this week and recruited some of Houston's top celebrities to serve as ambassadors to help spread the message.

Olympic gold medalist and world champion gymnast Simone Biles, Major League Baseball World Series Champion Carols Correa, and Houston rapper Slim Thug are doing their part to educate Houstonians on why face masks and social distancing are crucial in the fight against COVID-19.

The public health campaign will focus primarily on the Complete Communities and other “at-risk” neighborhoods with large percentages of residents living with health conditions that make them vulnerable to contracting the virus.

Each Houston Council Member received surgical masks to distribute to their most at-risk constituents. The masks will be distributed while supplies last.

More mask distribution sites will be announced soon.

The exceptions to the order are people who are exercising, eating or drinking. Also, people who are in a separate space, driving, at home, or someone who has mental, or physical health issues are exempt. Children under the age of 10 are also exempt.

“We have about 200,000 to distribute. In the last two days, we have distributed over 50,000 to 60,000. And we will be doing it a lot more,” Turner said.

The mayor said they will continue the giveaways as long as the donations keep coming in.

“We have 1,000 churches that are making one million masks. They will be donated. And given to our seniors with underlying medical conditions,” Turner said.

Great news if you watch TV with an antenna

KHOU has just upgraded its technology. If you were unable to receive KHOU with your antenna in the past, try again on channel 11.11. You may have to rescan your channels for it to work – if that’s the case, we’ve got some instructions at KHOU.com/antenna. If you already see KHOU on 11.1, you may now ALSO see it on 11.11 – it’s the exact same programming. We’re really excited to be able to bring our KHOU 11 News, CBS shows and sports, Wheel of Fortune, Ellen and Great Day Houston to more homes around the area. If you’re still having trouble, please contact us here and we’ll try to get you set up.






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