Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Texas will end all of its coronavirus restrictions beginning next week with a new executive order.
- The executive order will allow businesses to open to 100% capacity, and it will end the mask mandate within the state.
- However, local mask mandates will still be in effect, depending on the local area.
Here’s what Abbott said in his announcement:
“With the medical advancements of vaccines and antibody therapeutic drugs, Texas now has the tools to protect Texans from the virus,” Abbott said.
“We must now do more to restore livelihoods and normalcy for Texans by opening Texas 100%. Make no mistake, COVID-19 has not disappeared, but it is clear from the recoveries, vaccinations, reduced hospitalizations, and safe practices that Texans are using that state mandates are no longer needed. Today’s announcement does not abandon safe practices that Texans have mastered over the past year. Instead, it is a reminder that each person has a role to play in their own personal safety and the safety of others. With this executive order, we are ensuring that all businesses and families in Texas have the freedom to determine their own destiny.”
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said that she isn’t a fan of locations easing mask mandates yet, according to CNN.
- “I am really worried about reports that more states are rolling back the exact public health measures we have recommended to protect people from COVID-19,” she said.
- “Please stay strong in your conviction. Continue wearing your well-fitting mask and taking the other public health prevention actions that we know work,” Walensky said.
- “Ultimately, vaccination is what will bring us out of this pandemic. To get there, we need to vaccinate many more people.”
Per Axios, President Joe Biden said recently that it is “not the time to relax.”
- We have to keep washing our hands, staying socially distanced, and for God’s sake, wear your mask. It’s not a political statement. It’s a patriotic thing to do.”
According to the AARP, the following states don’t have any statewide mask mandates in place.
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
Montana, Iowa, North Dakota and Mississippi all once had mask mandates but have lifted them in recent weeks, per AARP.