Coronavirus mandates in Texas are ending next week. Gov. Greg Abbott says businesses can reopen at 100-percent capacity and the statewide mask mandate will end next Wednesday.
The Governor encouraged people to still follow all CDC pandemic suggestions and reminded people that businesses can enact their own restrictions and requirements.
Abbott says county judges can also enact their own restrictions, if certain hospital levels are met, but no one can be jailed.
He says state coronavirus vaccine numbers, along with the availability of virus testing, treatment, and PPE availability, are making his move possible.
Although leaders in Houston and other big Texas cities have reacted with alarm.
“Removing statewide mandates does not end personal responsibility,” said Abbott. “It’s just that now state mandates are no longer needed.”
The top county leader in Houston, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, called the announcement “wishful thinking” and said spikes in hospitalizations have followed past rollbacks of COVID-19 rules.
Abbott enforced a statewide mask mandate in July of 2020, but not all of Texas followed the restrictions. Throughout the pandemic, Abbott argued that lockdowns are not beneficial and other accommodations would need to be put into place.
Due to Abbott’s decision, tensions rose between him and his own party, with the head of the Texas GOP lead a protest outside the governor’s mansion. On the other hand, many mayors throughout Texas felt Abbott wasn’t doing enough.
At least 37 states have required face coverings during the pandemic, but these requirements have slowly been coming to a halt. Along with Texas, North Dakota, Montana and Iowa have lifted mask orders in recent weeks.
For more information the mask mandate and capacity limits on business, visit The Texas Tribune.
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