Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order Tuesday that
prohibits public entities from imposing the mandatory use of masks.
The measure takes effect this Friday, May 21, with the exception of public schools, where it will become effective on June 4.
"Texas, and not the federal government, must decide what the best sanitation practices are, so it will not be mandatory to wear masks in public school districts or state entities," Abbott said in a press release.
"We can continue to mitigate COVID-19 while defending the freedom of Texans who decide whether or not to wear masks."
Abbott's executive order, which
imposes fines of up to $ 1,000
on anyone trying to force someone to wear a mask against their will, excludes some federally-run health agencies and state correctional facilities and facilities. municipal detention.
[Texas Governor mandates mandatory mask use in counties with 20 or more COVID-19 cases]
At least two other states, Florida, and South Carolina, led by Republican governors, have announced similar measures.
The Texas Teachers Association, the largest teachers union in Texas, criticized Abbott's ad as
"premature."
Ovidia Molina, the union's president, said Abbott should wait for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to update its guidelines for the 2021-22 school year.
"The health and safety of our students, educators and communities must be our priority
as we try to emerge successfully from this pandemic,
" Molina emphasized in a statement.
The announcement to ban the mandatory use of masks comes a day after Texas' decision to end federal unemployment benefits of $ 300 per month due to the health crisis.
The governor argued that
"aid discourages workers from rejoining the workforce."
["100% Reopening": Texas Governor Removes Restrictions Against COVID-19, Including Mandatory Mask Use]
According to the Texas Department of Health Services, 41% of the population has received at least one dose, and 32% a complete vaccination against the coronavirus.
Abbott had already announced in March the suspension of the mandatory use of masks, as part of its decision to lift restrictions against COVID-19.
Then, he also announced the elimination of capacity limits for commercial establishments, including restaurants.
With information from AP and The Texas Tribune