Gov. Greg Abbott issued an Executive Order (GA-34) yesterday, lifting the mask mandate in Texas and increasing capacity of all businesses and facilities in the state to 100 percent. Effective March 10, this executive order rescinds most of the governor’s earlier executive orders related to COVID-19.

“With the medical advancements of vaccines and antibody therapeutic drugs, Texas now has the tools to protect Texans from the virus,” said Abbott. “We must now do more to restore livelihoods and normalcy for Texans by opening Texas 100 percent. Make no mistake, COVID-19 has not disappeared, but it is clear from the recoveries, vaccinations, reduced hospitalizations and safe practices that Texans are using that state mandates are no longer needed. (This) announcement does not abandon safe practices that Texans have mastered over the past year. Instead, it is a reminder that each person has a role to play in their own personal safety and the safety of others. With this executive order, we are ensuring that all businesses and families in Texas have the freedom to determine their own destiny.”

Texas is now administering almost 1 million shots each week. By next week, about 7 million shots will have been administered and 50 percent of Texas seniors will have received vaccinations. With increasing vaccine supplies, every senior who wants a vaccine should be able to get one by the end of March.

The number of active COVID-19 cases is the lowest since November; meaning more Texans are recovering from COVID-19 than contracting it, says Abbott.