HOUSTON (June 17, 2020) — The board of directors of the Greater Houston Partnership today passed a resolution supporting rules and regulations that encourage the use of facemasks in public. 

The Partnership fully supports the steps taken thus far to reopen our economy. The damage done to businesses in our region by the pandemic is severe, and reopening is essential to every Houstonian. That said, the reopening must be sustainable and the rising number of cases in our region is cause for concern. 

“If we want our regional economy to remain open, we have to be willing to take the appropriate actions necessary as a community to protect one another,” said Bob Harvey, President and CEO of the Partnership. “The medical experts have been in complete agreement that wearing facemasks significantly reduces the spread of the virus. But the measure only works if everyone participates. We believe that businesses have a responsibility in this effort and we encourage them to ensure their employees and customers are adopting health and safety best practices, including social distancing and mask wearing, while on their premises.” 

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, individuals with the coronavirus who are asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic can still transmit the virus to others. This means that the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity—for example, speaking or coughing—even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms.  In light of this, the CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings, particularly those where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.  

Here is the language of the June 17, 2020 resolution: 
“In order to support and facilitate the continued reopening of the greater Houston economy, the Greater Houston Partnership supports rules and regulations that increase the wearing of facemasks in public venues as well as other steps that would strongly encourage the widespread use of masks.” 

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Greater Houston Partnership  
The Greater Houston Partnership works to make Houston one of the best places to live, work and build a business. As the economic development organization for the Houston region, the Partnership champions growth across 11 counties by bringing together business and civic-minded leaders who are dedicated to the area’s long-term success. Representing 1,100 member organizations and approximately one-fifth of the region’s workforce, the Partnership is the place business leaders come together to make an impact. Learn more at Houston.org.

Contact:
 
A.J. Mistretta 
Vice President, Communications  
 (c) 504-450-3516 | amistretta@houston.org