Governor Greg Abbott declared on Tuesday afternoon that "it's now time to open Texas 100%."
Starting on Wednesday, March 10, the state will no longer require residents to wear a face mask in public, and all businesses will be allowed to operate at 100% capacity.
"Too many Texans have been sidelined from employment opportunities. Too many small business owners have struggled to pay their bills. This must end,” said the governor.
Abbott announced the changes to the state's COVID-19 policies during a visit to Lubbock on Texas Independence Day. He said he's lifting restrictions due to a decline in statewide coronavirus cases and hospitalizations.
Not everyone is on board with Abbott rolling back COVID-19 restrictions. Federal and global health organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organization still recommend that people wear face masks while in public.
Dallas County Health and Human Services Director Phil Huang said lifting the state mask mandate is "premature," the Dallas Morning News reported.
Abbott also added that if COVID-19 hospitalizations rise above 15% for seven straight days, a county judge can implement a mask mandate or enact other COVID-19 related restrictions. Also, residents can not be jailed or penalized for breaking COVID-19 restrictions.
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