Masks will now be required in schools, businesses and county buildings, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins announced Wednesday in a press conference. This is in response to the increasing rate of Covid Delta Variant diagnoses and the small current number of ICU beds, especially with higher numbers of children getting sick with the virus.

Jenkins said he worked with school superintendents, restaurant, bar and retail owners and more when crafting the order. It will take effect at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, and also strongly urges people to wear a mask generally while in public.

Jenkins said. “It is so much better when we work together than when we’re alone. The most important thing is that everyone get vaccinated as soon as possible. Face coverings are not a replacement for social distancing.”

Dallas ISD began a mask mandate on Tuesday as school across the district started.

Copy of the order can be found here