Posted By Sanford Nowlin on Tue, May 18, 2021 at 2:49 PM click to enlarge Courtesy Photo / Office of the Governor Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during a press event. In a move likely to further politicize the pandemic, Gov. Greg Abbott issued an order Tuesday mandating that no government entity in Texas, including public schools, can require people to wear masks. Starting Friday, cities and counties that try to maintain mask mandates can be slapped with fines of up to $1,000. Public schools have until June 4 until their ability to impose such rules disappear. Under the Republican governor s order, public schools can t require students, teachers, parents or staffers to wear masks on campus.
The Latest: Taiwan tightens restrictions as cases rise
The Associated Press
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1of14Medical personnel wearing protective gear, guide people at a rapid coronavirus testing center after the infection alert rose to level 3 in Taipei, Taiwan, Tuesday, May 18, 2021.Chiang Ying-ying/APShow MoreShow Less
2of14Women enjoy a cafe and an orange juice at a café terrace Wednesday, May, 19, 2021 in Strasbourg, eastern France. It s a grand day for the French. Café and restaurant terraces are reopening Wednesday after a shutdown of more than six months deprived people of what feels like the essence of life sipping coffee and wine with friends outdoors to save lives during the coronavirus pandemic.Jean-Francois Badias/APShow MoreShow Less
Masking in schools across the state will soon be optional after an executive order from Gov. Greg Abbott Tuesday.
The governor issued an executive order Tuesday prohibiting public schools and other government entities from requiring those on their grounds to wear face masks. This comes as only 30 percent of state residents are vaccinated against COVID-19.
Temple Independent School District said Tuesday that it would continue its current protocols until June 4, before conforming with the state order.
The district said that starting June 5 all face coverings would be optional but they would continue to encourage unvaccinated adults to wear masks upon entering their facilities.