It was unclear how Texans, many of whom consider the decision to wear a mask as a personal matter, would react to the order. Masks have been required in many of the state’s major cities since last month, when local governments were allowed to decide whether to require them within companies. But in areas where they haven’t been ordered, like large stretches of West Texas, shoppers in supermarkets and diners in restaurants often avoid them.
Democratic leaders highly praised the order. “Governor Abbott did the right thing in this case,” said Armando Walle, a state representative from Houston, the Texas city most affected by the pandemic.
But several Republicans, already angered by Abbott’s decision to re-close the neighborhoods, were upset by the order and the possibility of fines. Some lawmakers complained that Mr. Abbott had made his decision behind closed doors and had not reconvened the Legislature.
“We need a special session now so lawmakers can pass laws, not Abbott,” state Rep. Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington, wrote on Twitter.
The governor is in a difficult situation, ”said Reb Wayne, a Republican political consultant in Austin. “It is trying to balance public health and the general welfare of the state against some of the voices within its own political district that are not happy.”
He said that the pressure against the imposition of the facial mask mandate came from what he described as the “libertarian” wing of the Republican Party, which has seen the requirements to use the mask as an assault on personal liberties. “They were already crying out before this order today,” he said. “He clearly did not do this lightly.”
Lina Hidalgo, the chief executive in Harris County, which includes Houston, said in a statement that she appreciated the governor’s decision. Ms Hidalgo had tried in April to adopt a general requirement for the use of masks in her county, not only in companies, which would be required with a fine. But the governor had anticipated her and other local officials to take such actions.
