UPDATE (4:15 p.m. Friday, March 5): Abilene Independent School District officials said Friday that COVID-19 mitigation protocols will remain in place despite the Gov. Greg Abbott's new executive order to open Texas 100%. In a statement, district spokesman Lance Fleming said the goal of the school district every day is to provide a safe and healthy environment for both students and staff. "We will continue to maintain our current health and safety protocols throughout the rest of the school year," the statement said, in part. "This includes the continued use of face masks for all students and staff. As we move through the final weeks of school, we will continually evaluate our procedures to determine if there are additional ways to provide opportunities for our students and staff while continuing to maintain our existing health and safety protocols."