The Texas mask term ends today. Here are the current rules for coronavirus.

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The mask’s term across the state of Texas ended on March 10. Companies can now also operate at full capacity, as long as hospitals in their region have not treated a large proportion of patients with COVID-19. Governor Greg Abbott announced that he was loosening these restrictions so that “businesses and families in Texas are free to determine their own destiny”.

Health officials still emphasize the importance of using face masks to curb the spread of the virus, along with hand washing and social detachment. Several Democratic leaders called the executive order “dangerous”, including President Joe Biden, who said it was a “big mistake” to end the mask’s term. In addition, three of Abbott’s four coronavirus medical consultants say they were not consulted directly before he suspended his term.

Abbott said the state is in a “completely different position” than last year, with more access to tests, successful treatments, protective equipment and vaccines. However, Texas is still falling from a strong winter wave that has killed thousands and overwhelmed intensive care units across the state. Abbott’s decision to relax restrictions was announced while Texas recorded an average of more than 200 deaths per day and Houston reported the presence of all variants of COVID-19, the Houston Chronicle reported.

Here’s a look at what the easing restrictions mean for Texans:

• Across the state, masks will no longer be required in public for the first time since last summer. Abbott made facial coverage mandatory for most Texans on July 2. Although more than 30 states still require a mask, Texas is the most populous state that does not need them. But federal, state and local health officials say the masks must still be used and other precautions must be taken to slow the spread of the virus.
• School boards, courts and university campuses may still require masks. Local governments can also demand them at their facilities. Masks are still required on federal properties, on public transport and in public schools. Days after Abbott’s announcement, the leaders of Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and El Paso announced that masks will be required to enter indoor spaces owned by the city, such as libraries, police and fire departments, convention centers and training centers. transport.
• Legal protections to enforce the use of a mask have been significantly reduced under order – county judges and local authorities cannot arrest or impose penalties on those who refuse to wear the mask, nor penalize companies that do not enforce the mask. They can still enforce trespassing ordinances, however.
• Austin and Travis County public health leaders they say they will continue to require residents to wear masks in public. But officials have not said how they will enforce the order. If Austin tries to impose its mask rule, it could create a new legal confrontation between the state and its capital.
• Many business owners have said they will require masks, while others feel powerless to enforce that rule. Some companies have already faced adverse reactions.
• Companies can return to 100% capacity, but they can still limit capacity or apply security protocols “at their own discretion”, according to Abbott’s last order. This directive states that companies can still require employees or customers to wear masks. HEB, ALDI, Kroger and Target are among the companies that will still require masks. As of Tuesday, Walmart had not released updated guidelines after the announcement; your current policy still requires in-store masking.
• Employees in areas with a large share of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 may reduce business operations. Local authorities can limit commercial operations to 50% of capacity if more than 15% of the hospital’s capacity in your region is being used to treat patients with COVID-19 for seven consecutive days or more. If this limit is reached or exceeded, there will be no automatic restrictions; local authorities must issue them.
• Visiting prisoners in municipal and municipal jails can be resumed for the first time since Abbott declared a public health disaster last year, bringing some relief to Texas prisoners. Visits need to be scheduled in advance and only one adult can visit at a time. A negative test result and face masks will be required, and no physical contact will be allowed.
• All state parks are beginning the process of returning to full capacity, according to a state parks press release. Director Rodney Franklin still strongly encourages visitors to use facial covers, especially indoors, and at social distance. Most parks have expanded their capacity, but others may have some capacity limits or are still recovering from the February winter storm. Many parks are expected to reach capacity for both campers and visitors during peak hours, according to a state park press release, which was common before the pandemic.

Disclosure: HEB and Walmart have financially supported The Texas Tribune, a non-profit, non-partisan news organization that is financed in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in Tribune journalism. Find a complete list of them here.