Mask mandate lifted today, businesses return to 100 percent
Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order last week lifting the mask mandate in Texas and increasing the capacity of all businesses and facilities in the state to 100 percent.
Effective March 10, all businesses of any type may open to 100 percent capacity. Additionally, this order ends the statewide mask mandate in Texas.
“It is a reminder that each person has a role to play in their own personal safety and the safety of others,” Abbott said in a statement. “With this executive order, we are ensuring that all businesses and families in Texas have the freedom to determine their own destiny.”
Businesses may still limit capacity or implement additional safety protocols at their own discretion.
More than 2.5 million Texans who were lab confirmed for COVID-19 have recovered since the beginning of the pandemic, and experts note the total number of Texans who have recovered from COVID-19 is likely 4-5 times that amount. The number of active COVID-19 cases is the lowest since November—meaning more Texans are recovering from COVID-19 than contracting it.
“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,” Abbot noted.
About 7 million shots have been administered within the state of Texas and more than half of seniors in Texas have received a vaccine shot. By the end of March, every senior who wants a vaccine should be able to get one as supply continues to increase rapidly. More and more Texans will soon be eligible to receive a vaccine with the current advancement projections.
“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.”
If COVID-19 hospitalizations in any of the 22 hospital regions in Texas get above 15 percent of the hospital bed capacity in that region for seven straight days, a County Judge in that region may use COVID-19 mitigation strategies. County Judges may not impose jail time for not following COVID-19 orders nor may any penalties be imposed for failing to wear a face mask. Restrictions may not include reducing capacity to less than 50 percent for any type of entity.
Texans have also adopted daily habits that reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure and infection, which public officials urge citizens to continue.
“Personal vigilance to follow the safe standards is still needed to contain COVID. It’s just that now state mandates are no longer needed,” the governor reiterated.