Greg Abbott, Texas Governor, Toughens Vaccine Requirements and Mask Bans

Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed Thursday’s executive order strengthening and expanding the statewide vaccine mandate bans and mask bans.

Abbott’s most recent order forbids any entity receiving public funds or loans of any kind from imposing vaccines or masks. It also expands existing bans in the state.

Abbott said in a statement that the executive order today will provide clarity and uniformity to the Lone Star State’s continued fight against COVID-19. “The new Executive Order emphasizes that it is human responsibility, not government’s, to move forward. Texans have perfected safe methods to stop and prevent the spread COVID-19.

COVID-19 cases in Texas are on the rise. The state’s seven-day average number of COVID-19 new cases was 6,659 as of Wednesday. This is nearly double the average of 3,901 cases the week before.

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This order says that business activity and judicial actions can proceed without COVID-19 related restrictions imposed locally by governmental bodies or officials.” It also precedes any prior instructions, even those issued by municipalities.

Small municipalities in the state cannot limit company capacity, even if hospitalizations exceed 15%. This directive was issued just before the Thursday increase in hospitalizations within Galveston.