Texas Is About To Reopen Fully, But What About The Mask Mandate?

This afternoon from Lubbock, Texas Governor Greg Abbott made a huge announcement regarding businesses in the Lone Star State and the maximum capacity allowed inside. Governor Abbott announced that he has signed an executive order allowing businesses to open at full capacity on March 10th.

According to CBS 19 News, Governor Abbott said that it is the time for Texas to open at "100 percent." Most businesses in Texas are currently operating at a 75% capacity max. Some of the reasons Governor Abbott believes the State of Texas is ready to reopen fully is because of the lower hospitalization numbers and new infection rates in the state. Governor Abbott also said with the approval of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and there now being 3 vaccine options for Texans, now is the right time for the state to begin reopening. He also cited the number of antibody therapeutic drugs currently available.

Also during the announcement, Governor Abbott said he will also remove the mask requirement on March 10th. The Governor spoke from Montelongo's Mexican Restaurant in Lubbock where he was meeting with members of the Lubbock City Council. Governor Abbott said we must do what's right to restore "livelihoods and normalcy for Texans."

The Governor acknowledged that COVID-19 is still around and a real threat to Texans, but said the state mandates are no longer needed. Governor Abbott did say if the hospitalizations in the state rise by 15% over a two-week period in a region that county judges will once again have authority to re-implement restrictions in that area.

You can read Governor Abbott's entire executive order at the Texas Governor's website. You can read Governor Abbott's entire statement below.

NEW: Issuing an executive order to lift the mask mandate and open Texas to 100 percent.
Today's announcement doesn’t...
Posted by Office of the Governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday, March 2, 2021