Governor Abbott issues order prohibiting mask mandates across Texas

Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order prohibiting cities, school districts and other entities across the state from enforcing a mask mandate, the governor's office said on Tuesday.

"Governor Greg Abbott today issued an Executive Order prohibiting governmental entities in Texas - including counties, cities, school districts, public health authorities, or government officials - from requiring or mandating mask-wearing," the governor's office said in a press release on Tuesday.

The executive order will go into effect on Friday, so any local governments or officials that attempt to impose a mask mandate may face a fine of up to USD 1.000, the release said.

On Monday, Abbott announced he will terminate the USD 300 in weekly federal pandemic-related unemployment payments for jobless Texans, effective on June 26.

Abbott said the Texas economy is soaring and there are many good-paying jobs available in the state. The decision to end the federal unemployment benefits for jobless Texans is to end a high level of fraudulent unemployment claims in the state, Abbott added. (ANI/Sputnik)

( With inputs from ANI )

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