Texas and Mississippi Lift Mask Mandates, Restrictions on Businesses

Texas Governor Greg Abbott is lifting the state’s mask mandate and businesses will be allowed to open at full capacity starting on March 10.

Abbott said, ”It is now time to open Texas 100%.”

Soon after he spoke, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves announced that the state's mask mandate would be lifted as well, along with restrictions on businesses.

Reeves tweeted: "Our hospitalizations and case numbers have plummeted, and the vaccine is being rapidly distributed. It is time.” He said the state is "getting out of the business of telling people what they can and cannot do.”

Texas' Governor said: ”Removing statewide mandates does not end personal responsibility. It’s just that now state mandates are no longer needed.”

Health authorities say this is a dangerous time to roll back restrictions. The CDC Director said, ”At this level of cases with variants spreading, we stand to completely lose the hard earned ground we have gained.”