Texas Governor, Greg Abbott is facing widespread criticism following his Executive Order allowing all businesses to reopen and lifting the statewide face mask mandate implemented to stem the spread of coronavirus.
The Republican Governor who has been under pressure to lift the ban from fellow party members, made the shocking announcement on Tuesday at a press conference.
The Governor said that he was issuing an executive order to rescind his previous orders that brought in the restrictions on business operations that have been in place for eight months.
These restrictions he said will end on 10 March 2021, which is just a few days away.
According to reports, Texas has the third-highest number of deaths from Covid-19 in the United States, after California and New York, with more than 44,000 coronavirus related deaths.
The announcement from Abbott comes even after the warnings by health officials warning against relaxing restrictions.
“Effective next Wednesday, all business of any type, are allowed to open 100 per cent,” he said to applause.
“That includes any type of entity in Texas,” he continued. “Also, I am ending the statewide mask mandate.”
“Today’s announcement doesn’t abandon safe practices that Texans have mastered over the past year. Instead, it’s a reminder that each person has a role to play in their own personal safety & the safety of others.
With this executive order, we are ensuring that all businesses and families in Texas have the freedom to determine their own destiny,” he said.
The decision by the Texas Governor, has been met with huge criticism, and here are some of the reactions:
@francismmaxwell: Last time that fool @GregAbbott_TX
reopened Texas too soon, they were averaging around 5,000 cases per day. Today he decided to reopen again, and lift the states mask mandate…while Texas averages 7,000 cases per day. Republicans don’t give a f*ck about you.
@TrevorScottATX
Good thing I don’t need a mandate to tell me to, or not to #WearAMask
. I rely on science and common sense for that. Thanks anyway, #Texas.
Connie Gidice aka Office of the Former Empress
@ConnieGidice@GregAbbott_TX
: dead people don’t shop, go to restaurants or attend sporting events. #Texas