Breaking News: Governor Abbott Lifts Mask Mandate
Last week, Governor Greg Abbott made comments during a news conference that he was considering rolling back statewide coronavirus restrictions and promised exciting news to come. Tuesday, he addressed small business and community leaders of the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce as part of a statewide announcement. During his address the Governor said, "It is now time to open Texas 100 percent." Beginning Wednesday, March 10, businesses and entities in Texas may open at 100 percent capacity. Gov. Abbott has also stated the statewide mask mandate will be lifted on March 10. He cited abundant testing, access to therapeutic drugs for COVID treatment and access to vaccines as reasons for making the move; in addition to being under 9% positivity rate in the State.
"Effective next Wednesday, businesses are allowed to open 100 percent," Gov. Abbott said. "That includes any type of entity in Texas. Also, I'm ending the statewide mask mandate. Remember this, removing the statewide mandates does not end personal responsibility or the importance of caring for your family members and caring for your friends and other in your community... The individual safety is managed every day as a matter of personal responsibility, rather than by government mandate... At this time, people and businesses don't need the State telling them how to operate."
The Governor went on to address concerns some may have that opening 100 percent could lead to a worsening of COVID in their communities. The Executive Order addresses that concern. Abbott said that if hospitalizations in any of Texas' 22 hospital regions rise above 15 percent of the hospital bed capacity for seven straight days, county judges may use mitigation strategies in their county. He added, "Under no circumstances can any county judge put anybody in jail for not following the COVID orders. And no penalties can be imposed for failing to wear a face mask."
Gov. Abbott his speech saying he is committed to speeding the vaccination process across the state. Nearly 5.7 million vaccine shots have been administered to Texans, and the state is now administering almost one million shots each week. By next Wednesday, about 7 million shots will have been administered in Texas and over half of seniors in Texas will have received a vaccine shot. By the end of March, every senior who wants a vaccine should be able to get one. The vaccine supply continues to increase so rapidly that more and more Texans will soon be eligible to receive a vaccine. The number of active COVID-19 cases is the lowest since November—meaning more Texans are recovering from COVID-19 than contracting it.