AUSTIN, TX – MAY 18: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced the reopening of more Texas businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic at a press conference at the Texas State Capitol on May 18, 2020 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Lynda M. Gonzalez-Pool/Getty Images)
OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 3:15 PM PT – Tuesday, March 2, 2021
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has unveiled a plan to reopen all businesses, and ended the mask mandate in his state.
“Everybody who wants to work should have that opportunity,” Abbott stated. “Every business that wants to be open, should be open. ”
On Tuesday, Abbott said all businesses will be able to open next Wednesday at 100 percent capacity, while face masks will no longer be necessary.
I just announced Texas is OPEN 100%.
EVERYTHING.
I also ended the statewide mask mandate.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) March 2, 2021
The governor added citizens are responsible for keeping themselves safe and must use common sense and their best judgment to avoid infections.
“Too many Texans have been sidelined from employment opportunities. Too many small business owners have struggled to pay their bills,” Abbott stated. “This must end. It is now time to open Texas 100 percent.”
Abbott went on to say Texas now has the lowest rate of new infections in months, while hospitalizations have dramatically reduced. He emphasized that there’s no point in keeping stifling and useless restrictions in place.
