The Texas governor has ordered facial covers to be used in public in most of the state, in a dramatic intensification of efforts to control an increase in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations.
The move marks a major change for Republican Greg Abbott, who fueled Texas’ aggressive reopening of the state economy in May and previously said the government could not order people to wear masks. His previous virus-related orders had undermined local government efforts to enforce the mask requirements.
But given the increasing number of recently confirmed cases of the Covid-19 virus and a wave of hospitalizations, Abbott changed course with Thursday’s mask order. It requires that “all Texans wear a face that covers the nose and mouth in public spaces in counties with 20 or more Covid-19 positive cases, with few exceptions.”
“We are now at a point where the virus is spreading so fast that there is little margin for error,” Abbott said.
Texas reported 7,915 recently confirmed cases, a slight decline after passing the 8,000 mark for the first time on Wednesday. The 7,382 hospitalizations mean the state has more than quadrupled its numbers in that category since late May.
The mask order goes into effect on Friday. Violators of mask orders can be fined up to $ 250. There are exceptions for people who have a medical condition or disability, who exercise outdoors, or who participate in a religious service or vote. Texas this week began its one-month early voting period for its primary election.
Mask orders have become a source of controversy in Texas and elsewhere in the United States. Public health experts unanimously agree that the masks help delay the spread of Covid-19, but many Americans argue that they undermine individual freedom.
Abbott also gave mayors and county officials the ability to ban outdoor gatherings of more than 10 people.
In his order and statement, Abbott said wearing a mask was a proven method of slowing the spread of the virus, saying that if Texans comply, “more extreme measures can be avoided.”
Abbott has said he does not want to reverse his previous orders to reopen the economy. But last week it moved to re-close bars and limit the ability to dine in restaurants to 50%.
Abbott has been under extreme pressure from Democrats and Republicans in his reopening plans. Democrats, especially the leadership of the state’s largest cities, have complained that Abbott reopened Texas too quickly, noting record numbers of new confirmed cases and hospitalizations. Meanwhile, conservative lawmakers have abused Abbott’s early moves to fight the virus, including business, school and daycare closings and a stay-at-home order that expired in May.
The move was applauded by the Texas Medical Association. “There’s no question about it, face masks reduce the spread of Covid-19,” said association president Dr. Diana L Fite.
The Texas order comes as the virus continues to spread across the country, and cases are increasing significantly in more than 40 states, particularly in the south and west. On Thursday, Georgia added nearly 3,500 new cases, its largest single-day increase to date. Meanwhile, Florida reported 10,000 new confirmed cases of coronavirus for the first time.
Overall, the United States climbed to a record high of more than 50,000 new cases daily on Thursday, according to Johns Hopkins figures.
