San Antonio Won't Let Anti-Maskers Bully Local Businesses

Face masks are now optional in the state of Texas so San Antonio leaders are trying find ways to protect local businesses that are asking customers to wear them.

Under the state's reopening plan, businesses can still take COVID-19 prevention measures even though the state and local governments cannot force them to. Businesses can choose to limit their indoor capacity, require social distancing, and require customers to wear face masks.

In San Antonio, businesses are now required to tell customers their pandemic policies and if they do or do not require masks.

“We think it’s important for the person coming into that business to know whether they’re entering a safe environment or not, and to let them make that decision,” Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said on Tuesday.

Businesses have the right to kick out customers not following their policies, and law enforcement can step in if an unruly customer refuses to leave.

“If the customer is belligerent or combative, we’re asking the business owner not to take the law into their own hands but to please call the police. Let them handle it. … If the customer continues to refuse then the officer has the right to use his discretion and make an arrest for criminal trespass," Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales.

Photo: Getty