Governor Abbott opens Texas 100 percent, ends mask mandate

Governor Greg Abbott issued Executive Order No. GA-34 on March 2 that allows all businesses to be open at 100 percent and lifted the statewide mask mandate. This executive order went into effect on Wednesday, March 10.

"With the medical advancements of vaccines and antibody therapeutic drugs, Texas now has the tools to protect Texans from the virus,” said Governor Abbott. "We must now do more to restore livelihoods and normalcy for Texans by opening Texas 100 percent. 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. This 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."

In the days after the governor’s announcement and leading up to this week, businesses and entities throughout Dripping Springs have posted whether their policies would change.

City of Dripping Springs

In a posting on their website, the City stated it will continue operating as it has been. As such, City Hall offices will continue to operate virtually. • The City will continue

• The City will continue virtual City Council, Board, and Commission meetings. Links to those meetings can be found on the City Calendar located on cityofdrippingsprings.com.

• The City will continue to limit indoor events at facilities.

• Face coverings will still be required at all indoor facilities including City Hall and Dripping Springs Ranch Park, and face coverings will be encouraged at all outdoor events such as the Dripping Springs Farmers Market.

The City will continue to evaluate the opening of city facilities, in person meetings, and mask/face covering requirements based on state and federal guidance related to vaccination rates, hospitalization rates, and other related factors.

When asked when the City might move forward with lifting restrictions, Communications Director Lisa Sullivan said in an emailed statement: “It is an ongoing evaluation and the City does not have a set number on any of these rates that will reopen different aspects of the City. We will continue to base our decisions on advice from the CDC, the Texas Department of State Health Services, the Texas Department of Emergency Management, the Hays County Health Department, Hays County Emergency Services, other federal, state, and local health authorities, and our Emergency Management team.”

Businesses and the Chamber of Commerce

Businesses throughout town took to social media almost immediately after the Governor’s announcement with many celebrating the news and others strongly stating no policies will change. “Sorry folks,” Mazama owner Vicky Lewis wrote on Instagram. “My business, my rules. You will mask up, not harass my staff about it and play nice. No one wants these masks off more than my staff. Do it for them, so we can put this sh** show behind us. #maskup.”

Another business, Salon Mystique posted their policy to Facebook, “Salon Mystique values each client that walks through our doors. With the state mask mandate lifted, we want to ensure that each of you feel comfortable coming to our Salon. For every client that is inclined to wear a mask, please do so. If you prefer that your Stylists/ Spa professional wear a mask during your services, please let us know before your appointment. If you do not wish to wear a mask, it is up to your Stylist/Spa Professional's discretion within their private suite.”

As for the Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce, it will be continuing with a blend of in-person and online member events for the foreseeable future according to Susan Kimball, Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce President. “At in-person events like Coffee Connector and ribbon cuttings, we will still request masks and social distancing in order to help protect the health and comfort level of all attendees,” Kimball said. “While we are encouraged that all businesses in Texas are once again allowed to operate at 100 percent capacity, we encourage each business to evaluate their particular situation and make decisions that best serve their business, staff and customer base. It’s important to recognize and appreciate that not everyone has the same comfort level when it comes to COVID, so we expect to see many different scenarios throughout the community. The office will remain closed while staff works remotely but we are always available by email, phone or appointment.”

When asked about the Dripping Springs Visitors Bureau, Pam Owens, President and CEO had this to say, “I’ve checked with several of our tourism businesses, including wedding venues. For now the majority of them are maintaining the status quo, including having staff, vendors and guests to wear masks, as well as social distancing. One wedding venue cited that they will continue to go by CDC guidelines. There are a few who are relaxing their rules on masks and social distancing.”

For now, it seems residents will need to check with each entity they plan to visit individually for policies regarding COVID-19.

Dripping Springs Independent School District

In an email sent to parents late Sunday night, the Dripping Springs Independent School District wrote, “The Governor's recent executive order has generated some important questions from our community that we would like to discuss and address with our families. While we are hopeful that conditions will continue to improve, the district intends to maintain current safety protocols, including the requirement for students and staff to wear face masks... One of the contributing reasons we have managed to keep our schools open through this pandemic has been the adherence to safety protocols by staff, students, and parents... One notable change that will go into effect immediately is a reduction in the length of the quarantine period for close contacts who do not have COVID symptoms. On March 5, the Hays County Health Department updated its recommendation for quarantine periods of close contacts to match CDC’s amended quarantine timeline allowing for a shorter close-contact quarantine period, and the district will follow this recommendation. The isolation period may end for individuals who were identified as close contacts to a positive COVID-19 case but are not experiencing symptoms on day 10 after close contact without testing; or on day 7 after close contact exposure and after receiving a negative test result.”

As the school community digested the Governor’s announcement last week, parents were quick to advocate for no masks, less restrictions or for protocols to remain unchanged. Many stating it is time to move forward, while others saying the protocols were the only reason they felt safe to send their students in-person.

“I find it incredibly disappointing that the district passes the buck on decision-making once again, citing that TEA is responsible for requiring masks for kids,” said Shanda De Leon, parent. “They conveniently left out two parts of the guiding document. One states ‘the governing board of a school system may modify or eliminate by formal action the above mask-related requirements.’ And the other that has been a point of contention this entire year is where TEA states that the mask requirement does not apply to ‘Any person younger than 10 years of age, except where a school system determines it is developmentally appropriate.’ They have continually failed to provide justification for deeming it developmentally appropriate for those young age groups.”

“My son has been an in-person learner all school year,” said Michelle Barry. “I am thrilled the school is keeping the current protocols. With such a small percentage of the population able to be vaccinated yet and only within the last few days allowing teachers to be vaccinated, current protocols will help protect the children and staff.”

When it comes to the possibility of lifting other restrictions, Interim Superintendent Brett Springston said in a zoom interview with The Century News, “We can work with our board and work with our parents and we can work with the people within our school system to look at changes,” he said. “I respect what the governor has done, and I respect the position he’s in, in trying to get some normalcy back... I just don’t want to jump back to normalcy without thinking about the consequences and being able to meet with my preparedness team to come up with the proper surveys that we can get out to our community... If we get to a point where we have a lot of people starting to come in with COVID-19, did we make the right move? We don’t want to make a mistake on this.”

Springston continued by stating that he is working on putting together a “Covid Preparedness Team” that will look at how the district can potentially ease or lift some of its restrictions with a stair stepping approach. The team will be made up of administrators, counselors, nurses, teachers, parents and social and emotional professionals. DSISD previously had a COVID Task Force made up of the same type of individuals when it developed its return to school plan last summer and fall, however that task force has since been dismantled, Springston said. He noted that it occurred before his time and didn’t know why, but that he was happy to take on the leadership role of creating a new advisory committee. DSISD Executive Communications Director Dale Whitaker added that the previous task force was in place through the time of former Superintendent Todd Washburn’s employment and had served its purpose of creating the return to school plan.

“In my leadership position, I want to recreate something not only for myself, but something for the new superintendent,” Springston said. “It’s a difficult time period right now because there’s going to be a transition between me and the permanent superintendent, and I’m trying to make that transition seamless, so they can see what I’ve started, why I’ve started it... what direction we’re trying to get to, which is a goal of normalcy, and the steps we’re taking to get to that normalcy, so when they come in they’ve got clear guidance on what took place, how it took place and why it took place.”

The new committee is expected to be finalized before the district closes for spring break next week and will begin meeting as soon as possible. No promises were made about current policies changing, but the district stated it is hopeful about the potential of making some changes soon with the committee discussing the rest of the semester first, then looking at summer school programs.

To learn more about the Governor's executive order, visit gov.texas.gov/news.