EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The El Paso Police Department announced Friday that it will not enforce El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego’s order to have non-essential businesses close for a two week period.
El Paso police cited a statement from Attorney General Ken Paxton as the reason for the move.
It reads:
In sum, County Order No. 13 is unlawful and unenforceable because it conflicts with the Executive Order GA-32. For these, reasons, we have advised El Paso County Judge Samaniego to immediately rescind or revise his order to make it consistent with GA-32 or face likely further legal action.”
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton
As KTSM has reported, Samaniego announced a two-week shutdown for non-essential businesses starting Oct. 30.
The order calls for the closure of non-essential services such as tattoo parlors, hair salons, nail salons, gyms, massage businesses, and in-person dining for a two-week period.
Late Thursday evening, the Texas Attorney General called the order a direct violation of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order and said the office is exploring to take legal action.
The Regional Emergency Preparedness and public health officials will hold a news conference on Friday to provide the community with an update on the COVID-19 situation in El Paso County.
The conference will take place at 2 p.m. MST at El Paso City Hall.
The meeting comes as health officials report 10 new COVID-19 related deaths in El Paso County. The total number of COVID-19-related deaths now stands at 595.
