Texas isn't the only state lifting COVID-19 restrictions. Here's how 11 other states and cities are easing lockdowns, despite the CDC insisting that 'now is not the time'
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News via AP, Pool
- Texas became the largest US state to ease its lockdown restrictions Tuesday.
- Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order that would end all COVID-19 restrictions, including a mask mandate, on March 10.
- Mississippi, Louisiana, and Michigan also made announcements to ease restrictions Tuesday.
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Texas became the largest state in the US to lift its mask mandate on Tuesday.
Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order Tuesday that is set to end all COVID-19 restrictions on March 10. He tweeted that "Texas is OPEN 100%," and said that "people and businesses don't need the state telling them how to operate."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned Monday of a potential resurgence of coronavirus infections in the US, despite a dip in numbers of new cases on a national level.
"At this level of cases, with variants spreading, we stand to completely lose the hard-earned ground we have gained," Rachel Walensky, head of the CDC, said. "Now is not the time to relax the critical safeguards that we know can stop the spread of COVID-19 in our communities."
Texas isn't the only place in the US easing restrictions. Mississippi, Louisiana, and Michigan, as well as Chicago and San Francisco, also made announcements to ease restrictions Tuesday, though the detail varied.
Montana, Iowa, North Dakota, and Mississippi have already waived mask-wearing restrictions, and Michigan has eased other lockdown restrictions. Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina have not enforced state-wide mask mandates throughout the pandemic. In Florida and South Dakota, schools and businesses have been widely open for months.
More than 35 US states have kept their mask-wearing rules in place, albeit with variable enforcement.
Here is how some other states, as well as some individual cities, are easing their restrictions
Chicago, Illinois
REUTERS/Kamil Krzaczynski
Chicago announced Tuesday that hospitality, sports, and performance venues could increase to 50% capacity, up from 40%. The maximum number of people is 50 or 20 people for indoor fitness classes. Curfews were also extended. The changes were effective from Tuesday.
San Francisco, California
Mayor London Breed of San Francisco said Tuesday that indoor dining, indoor fitness, museums, and movie theaters would be allowed to reopen Wednesday at limited capacity.
Louisiana
Gov. John Bel Edwards of Louisiana said Tuesday that from Wednesday, businesses could operate at 75% capacity, except in indoor event halls, which were limited to 50% capacity at a maximum of 250 people.
Live music could also resume indoors. He said that the state's mask mandate would continue, and the new rules will remain in place for at least 28 days,until March 31.
Michigan
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan announced easing of restrictions Tuesday, set to take effect on Friday. Restaurants would be able to operate at 50% capacity - increased from 25% - and retail, entertainment and sports facilities could open at increased capacity, she said. People can also visit a nursing home after a negative COVID-19 test.
Michigan has a state-wide mask-mandate, and Whitmer said mask-wearing, social distancing and washing hands was "more important than ever."
Mississippi
Rogelio V. Solis-Pool/Getty Images
Mississippi rescinded a state-wide mask order in September, but Gov. Tate Reeves of Mississippi said Tuesday that county-specific mandates would be lifted too. He also said that the only COVID-19 restrictions that would remain were a 50% cap on the number of people in indoor arenas, and that certain restrictions would remain in schools.
North Carolina
Gov. Roy Cooper of North Carolina eased restrictions from February 26, lifting a curfew and allowing indoor venues to operate at limited capacity. There is still a mask mandate.
Arkansas
Gov. Asa Hutchinson on February 26 lifted capacity limits for bars, restaurants, gyms and large venues. He said that the state's mask mandate would remain in place until March, provided the number of cases and hospitalizations were low.
Massachusetts
Gov. Charlie Baker of Massachusetts said February 25 that restaurants could open at full capacity - albeit with social distancing and table-size and time restrictions - from Monday.
Other venues could open at 50% capacity, with no more than 500 people allowed inside. A state-wide mask mandate is still in place.
Washington
Gov. Jay Inslee lifted restrictions for five counties in the state on February 14, and allowed restaurants to open up at 25% capacity.
Montana
Gov. Greg Gianforte of Montana terminated the state's mask mandate February 12.
Iowa
Gov. Kim Reynolds of Iowa lifted restrictions February 5. Iowans no longer have to wear face coverings in public. Businesses can have as many people as they want inside and don't have to abide social distance guidelines.
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