The El Paso Police Department said they will not enforce shut down orders imposed by a county judge.
County Judge Ricardo Samaniego issued an order shutting down all non-essential businesses for the next two weeks.
Among the non-essential services ordered to be closed are tattoo, hair and nail salons, as well as gyms and in-person dining, television station KVIA reports.
“He also appealed to residents to avoid all non-essential activities. Grocery and drug stores, funeral homes, health care services and government activities were among the activities deemed essential,” the television station reported.
Samaniego also implemented a daily curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Violators could be fined $500 under the order, but the curfew did not apply to people who are going to or from work or out for essential services, including grocery stores and healthcare.
However, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says the judge has no right to impose curfews or shut down businesses.
“El Paso County Judge (Ricardo) Samaniego has no authority to shut down business in El Paso County. This is a direct violation of Gov. (Greg) Abbot’s executive order,” Paxton wrote.
As such, law enforcement says they will not comply.
BREAKING: El Paso Police Department says it will not be enforcing the coronavirus shutdown ordered by a county judge (KVIA)
— SV News ? (@SVNewsAlerts) October 30, 2020