Officials in Austin and Travis County, Texas, can continue to carry out their mask orders for at least two more weeks after a district judge on Friday refused to grant the state a temporary emergency restraining order, reports the company affiliate. NBC KXAN.
Why does it matter: The decision maintains the mandate in force during the spring break of many schools in the Austin area.
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Context: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the city on Thursday, alleging that the city leadership was challenging an order issued by Governor Greg Abbott last week that terminated a statewide mask mandate.
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The lawsuit alleges that the governor’s order “avoids more restrictive local emergency orders”.
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The executive order, which came into force on Wednesday, allows local governments to apply masked warrants in regions where coronavirus hospitalizations exceed 15% of the capacity of beds for seven consecutive days.
What she’s saying: “People have been wearing masks for a year. I don’t know if two more weeks are going to matter one way or another,” Judge Lora Livingston said during a hearing on Friday, according to the Austin-American Statesman
Yes but: The action is not a final decision. Livingston could still side with the state after hearing more arguments.
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