Local governments or officials who attempt to put mask requirements in place can face a fine of up to $1,000.ByJoseph Guzman | May 19, 2021

getty: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R)

Story at a glance

• The executive action taken Tuesday prohibits the state’s counties, cities, school districts, public health authorities or government officials from implementing mask mandates.
• “Texans, not government, should decide their best health practices, which is why masks will not be mandated by public school districts or government entities,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said.
• The move by Abbott comes as several other Republican states have similarly moved to prohibit local governments from imposing mask mandates.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has issued an executive order that will bar public schools and most other government entities from requiring masks to curb the spread of the coronavirus. 

The executive action taken Tuesday prohibits the state’s counties, cities, school districts, public health authorities or government officials from implementing mask mandates.

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“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 news release. 

“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,” he added. 

Public schools will be allowed to continue current mask-wearing guidelines through June 4. After that date, however, no student, teacher, parent or staff member can be required to wear a face covering on campus, according to the order. 

Local governments or officials who attempt to put mask requirements in place can face a fine of up to $1,000 beginning Friday. 

State-supported living centers, government-owned or operated hospitals and prisons and jails are exempt from the executive order. 

The move by Abbott comes as several other Republican states have similarly moved to prohibit local governments from imposing mask mandates, including orders from governors this month in Florida and South Carolina. 

Abbott in March moved before most states in the U.S. to do away with the state’s mask mandate and allowed businesses to reopen to full capacity.  

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) eased its own mask recommendations, saying fully vaccinated people could stop wearing masks indoors.

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