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.