Texas governor completely lifts Covid-19 ban in the state

Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday took a bold step in lifting Covid-19 restrictions in the state by lifting a mask mandate and permitting most businesses to open at full capacity in the coming week.

The governor’s executive order follows reports of declined Covid-19 cases in many U.S. states and major cities. Abbott said now is the right time to open Texas “100%”. He added that the executive order will take effect on March 10.

“Covid has not suddenly disappeared,” Abbott said. “But it is clear from the recoveries, from the vaccinations, from the reduced hospitalizations, and from the safe practices that Texas are using, that state mandates are no longer needed.”

The order forbids local authorities from penalizing residents who do not comply with the mask mandate. It also removes all restrictions on businesses in counties without high infection or hospitalization rates. Areas, where hospitalization is high, may still have some restrictions on them, according to the mandate, but will still be allowed to operate at 50% capacity.

Abbott said he was able to give the executive order because Texas was one of the states that has adhered to the requirements. He said the state has administered nearly 5.7 million Covid-19 shots to its 29 million residents. According to the governor’s office, every senior who wants to get vaccinated would be able to do so by the end of March.

The decision to lift the Covid-19 ban in Texas puts the Abbott and a conflict point with U.S. president Joe Biden who has urged Americans to keep adhering to the Covid-19 safety precautions.

“Now is not the time to let up,” Biden said. “I’ve asked the country to wear masks for my first 100 days in office. Now is not the time to let our guards down. People’s lives are at stake.”

In reaction to the Texas governor’s order, White House Covid-19 adviser Andy Slavitt told CNN: “I hope the governor rethinks this. It’s only a small piece of cloth that’s needed. I don’t think it affects the economy of the state.”

Health experts, including Dr. Anthony Fauci have warned of the possible dangers associated with reopening states at this time. They have cautioned that states should not be in a haste to reopen. At a White House briefing on Friday, Dr. Fauci warned against lifting the restrictions until the U.S. baseline average of new infections is impressively lower than where it is.

“We have to carefully look at what happens over the next week or so with those numbers, before you start making the understandable need to relax on certain restrictions,” Fauci said. “Watch it closely, and be prepared to react according to what actually happens.”

The state of Mississippi also lifted its Covid-19 ban restrictions on Tuesday. However, 35 U.S. states, along with the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico still mandate their residents to keep wearing masks in public.  

Mayor Lori Lightfoot of Chicago said small businesses including bars and restaurants can increase their indoor capacity by 50%, but can only remain open until 1 a.m.

“We have made incredible progress in recent weeks and months, and I thank our business community for their ongoing commitment to saving lives,” Lightfoot said in a written statement.