Texas Reopens: Here's What Austin-Area Officials Are Saying

AUSTIN, TX — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced his plan to reopen Texas at a 100 percent capacity and halt his state mask mandate beginning March 10.

However, Austin officials and other agencies are urging the Governor to keep the mask mandate in place as the rise of more contagious variants could reverse the current downward trajectory in the state.

Abbott made the announcement Tuesday afternoon at Montelongo's Mexican Restaurant in Lubbock in an address to the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce.

Abbott said his decision to reopen Texas is because the state is in a "far better position" than it was when he issued his last executive order in October 2020.

"With the medical advancements of vaccines and antibody therapeutic drugs, Texas now has the tools to protect Texans from the virus," Abbott said. "We must now do more to restore livelihoods and normalcy for Texans by opening Texas 100 percent.

"With this executive order, we are ensuring that all businesses and families in Texas have the freedom to determine their own destiny."

Abbott said the executive order will be effective March 10. All businesses of any type may open to 100 percent capacity and the state's mask mandate will end.

Here's how Texas officials and agencies responded to the executive order

1:08 p.m. Tuesday: Austin Mayor Steve Adler tweeted a document he and Travis County Judge Andy Brown wrote to urge the Governor to keep the mask mandate in place.

"With the arrival of new variants of the virus to Texas and our cities, with the associated potential for a future spike in cases, preserving the most effective of our existing safety measures is even more important," the document said. "We have to do everything in our power to prevent new surges in infections, subsequent hospitalizations and more deaths ...the mask mandate is a wise and effective choice. It is a minor discomfort compared to the alternative."

2:12 p.m. Tuesday: State Rep. John Bucy III, who represents House District 136, questioned Abbott's decision to rid the state's mask mandate in a series of Tweets.

"So no more masks, but we still don’t have vaccines for teachers and frontline workers," he said. "It’s like we’re in a relay race with the finish line in sight and the last leg just decided not to run."

2:19 p.m. Tuesday: Texas State Rep. James Talarico, who represents House District 52, tweeted several posts about the Governor's decision Tuesday afternoon.

"Texas is now 'encouraging' people to wear masks like we encouraged power plants to winterize," Talarico said.

3:06 p.m. Tuesday: Texas U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro took to Twitter to condemn Abbott's decision to reopen Texas as a "failure to listen to science and medical advice" and will "cost Texans their lives."

"This decision is reckless and dangerous—and a desperate distraction from the Governor’s dereliction of duty during the power outages," Castro said in a Tweet. "He’s putting politics above the people of Texas."

3:10 p.m. Tuesday: Austin ISD, which serves most of the City of Austin and surrounding towns, said in a Tweet Tuesday it was aware of the Governor's order and is awaiting guidance from the Texas Education Agency.

"Until we receive that guidance we will continue to adhere to our current safety protocols. We will send updates as quickly as decisions are made. Thank you for your support," the tweet said.

3:36 p.m. Tuesday: The city of Cedar Park said it plans to review Abbott's Executive Order to determine how it will impact the city and its community.

4:39 p.m. Tuesday: The Texas Education Agency said it will update public health guidance by the end of the week before Gov. Abbott's order takes effect.

4:39 p.m. Tuesday: Capital Metro of Austin said it will continue to follow the federal requirement to wear a face mask on its vehicle and at its facilities despite the Governor's executive order.

4:46 p.m. Tuesday: Leander ISD said it will continue to prioritize "students, staff and community health" by following the guidance of state and local health agencies.

"We will still enforce our existing mask protocols and social distancing requirements," the school district said. "As we work to slow community spread of COVID-19 and minimize the health risks of in-person learning, we will work with health departments and the Texas Education Agency regarding health and safety in our schools. We will adjust when it is safe and appropriate to do so.”

4:53 p.m. Tuesday: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport said it will follow federal requirements and will enforce mask wearing for its passengers, employees and visitors.

5:21 p.m. Tuesday: Travis County Judge Andy Judge said in a Tweet it is "not time to say this pandemic is over," in response to Gov. Abbott's decision to reopen Texas at a 100 percent capacity and lift the state's mask mandate.

What health officials are saying

Top U.S. health officials, including CDC Director Dr. Dr. Rochelle Walensky and White House Chief Medical Advisory Dr. Anthony Fauci, have warned in recent weeks that the rise of more contagious variants could reverse the current downward trajectory in infections in the U.S. and delay the nation's recovery from the pandemic.

Travis County reported 265 new coronavirus cases and one related death on Monday. Since March 2020, there have been 75,901 confirmed cases; of which, 1,578 are active, according to the Austin Public Health District. There have been 705 total deaths in Travis County.

On Tuesday, Public Health District officials said it distributed 33,562 COVID-19 vaccines between Feb. 21 through Feb. 28.

Williamson County reported 91 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday. Since March 2020, there have been 35,731 confirmed cases, 5,406 probable cases and 402 deaths in the county.

Only 6.2% of the population have been fully vaccinated and another 13.6% have received the first dose, according to the county's website.

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