Texas Gov. Greg Abbott banned government entities, including public schools, from mandating mask-wearing after the Lone Star State reported zero coronavirus-related deaths in Sunday tabulations.
On Tuesday, the Republican issued executive order GA-36, which states that “no government entity, including a county, city, school district and public health authority and no government official may require a person to wear a face covering,” excluding hospitals, care centers, jails, and prisons. Starting on May 21, government officials who violate the provisions of the new law may be subject to fines of up to $1,000, though schools may continue to require mask-wearing until June 4.
“The Lone Star State continues to defeat COVID-19 through the use of widely-available vaccines, antibody therapeutic drugs, and safe practices utilized by Texans in our communities,” Abbott said in a statement. “Texans, not government, should decide their best health practices, which is why masks will not be mandated by public school districts or government entities. We can continue to mitigate COVID-19 while defending Texans’ liberty to choose whether or not they mask up.”
TEXAS RECORDS ZERO COVID DEATHS TWO MONTHS AFTER BEING ACCUSED OF ‘NEANDERTHAL THINKING’ BY BIDEN
The Republican governor’s move comes two days after his state reported zero COVID-19 deaths, the first time since March 2020. Abbott also said Texas recorded a 13-month low in cases and an 11-month low in hospitalizations.
On March 2, Abbott ended the statewide mask mandate and vowed to reopen Texas “100%,” drawing scorn from health authorities and President Joe Biden, who called the move “Neanderthal thinking.”
“This must end,” Abbott said at the time. “It is now time to open Texas 100%. Everybody who wants to work should have that opportunity. Every business that wants to be open should be open.”
“I am issuing a new executive order that rescinds most of the earlier executive orders. Effective next Wednesday, all businesses of any type are allowed to open 100%. That includes any type of entity in Texas. Also, I am ending the statewide mask mandate,” he said.
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The Lone Star State has recorded a 38% downturn in cases over the last two weeks, with a 12% drop in hospitalizations and an 11% dip in deaths. The state has recorded a total of 44 deaths over the past 14 days as 33% of its residents are fully vaccinated, while 41% have received at least one dose.
