Texas GOP Governor Abbot orders local governments, schools to stop requiring COVID masks

Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is ordering local governments and schools across the state to stop requiring people to wear a COVID-19 mask.

Abbott issued an executive order Tuesday, effective Friday, according to The Hill.

"Texans, not government, should decide their best health practices, which is why masks will not be mandated by public school districts or government entities," Abbott said.

Governments and school districts that continue to enforce the mandate face a maximum $1,000 fine.

Abbott's order follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week revising its guidelines to say fully vaccinated people no longer have to wear masks indoors or outdoors, barring certain situations.