Washington:
Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday lifted a state mask mandate and stated he was authorizing firms restricted simply because of the coronavirus pandemic to open “100 percent.”
“For nearly half a year, most businesses have been open either 75 percent or 50 percent and during that time, too many Texans have been sidelined from employment opportunities,” Abbott stated.
“Too many small business owners have struggled to pay their bills,” the Republican governor stated in a speech to the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce.
“This must end. It is now time to open Texas 100 percent,” he stated to cheers and applause from his audience.
“Every business that wants to be open should be open.”
Abbott stated he was lifting the restrictions simply because of the arrival of Covid-19 vaccines, and much better testing and therapies.
“Texas now has the tools to protect Texans from the virus,” he stated.
Abbott imposed a mask mandate in the second most populous US state eight months ago.
He stated an executive order rescinding his preceding Covid-19 orders and restrictions would take impact on Wednesday.