MASK MANDATE

An end to the mask mandate for domestic airports and airlines?

After the last couple years of living through a global pandemic, it seems as though most of us are itching to get in some good travel time.

The Houston Independent School District has relaxed its mask mandates, making it optional to wear masks within HISD schools, facilities, and school buses, officials announced Monday. Anyone wanting to wear a mask can still request one when entering an HISD building.

A group is protesting Friday over the mask mandate at Houston Independent School District.

The board of Houston Independent School District will hold an in-person meeting Thursday afternoon to discuss its current guidance on mask mandates, large gatherings and social distancing that was put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

KIPP Texas Public Schools rescinded its mask mandate Wednesday after the Texas Attorney General’s Office threatened possible legal action against the charter school network.

Angleton Independent School District’s board of trustees approved a mask mandate for its students and staff while inside all facilities.

The Texas Supreme Court temporarily blocked San Antonio’s mask mandate for public schools Thursday — the latest in the tug-of-war legal battle between local governments and the state’s Republican leadership over mandatory face coverings.

A Fort Bend County District Judge granted a temporary injunction Thursday against Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order that prohibits county, city, and school districts officials from imposing mask mandates.

Governor Greg Abbott has the numbers on his side when it comes to the Texas Supreme Court and his executive order instituting mask mandates, according to KPRC 2 Legal Analyst Brian Wice,

Harris County files a lawsuit Thursday against Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order that bans local entities and school districts from requiring masks and vaccines.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo announced Thursday a health order requiring masks in schools and childcare centers.

Several Fort Bend County leaders are expected to announce the submission of a lawsuit that will challenge Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order GA-38, which bans local officials from mandating masks.

Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Wednesday the filing of a mandamus petition the 5th Court of Appeals to strike down the actions by Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins, according to a release.

During a school board meeting Thursday, Houston ISD unanimously voted in favor of the superintendent’s mask mandate for the 2021-2022 school year.

The Houston Independent School District will hold a board meeting next week to discuss a possible mask mandate and COVID-19 protocols, according to the superintendent, Millard House II.

Houston city workers are being told they must resume wearing masks while on the job, a requirement that could go against Gov. Greg Abbott’s most recent executive order banning such mandates.

The Texas State Teachers Association has called on Gov. Greg Abbott to withdraw the prohibition of masks and to allow school districts to require masks when students return back to school.

During a live interview on KPRC 2 News at 5, Gov. Greg Abbott said despite the rise in COVID-19 cases in the US, he will not impose another mask mandate.

Gov. Greg Abbott has issued an executive order Tuesday that will prohibit government entities, such as public schools, from mandating masks.

Greg Abbott ordered the state’s mask mandate to be lifted on Wednesday and allowed any business to open at 100% capacity. “All the staff is required to wear masks and the customers are doing whatever they wish to do,” said Jim Hallers, managing partner of Citizens Grill near The Woodlands. At nearby Malibu Nails and Spa, front desk employee Maggie Becker said employees will wear masks and take other precautions. “We are not requiring guests to wear masks since the mandate has been lifted,” she said. “Of course, all of our team members are wearing masks as well but we’re still requiring customers to wear masks as they come in.”KPRC 2 asked whether that approach has caused any problems.

HOUSTON – Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo addressed the expiration of the state COVID-19 restrictions Wednesday afternoon. “There’s a lot of focus today on 100% -- on businesses being able to reopen to 100% and everybody lifting the mask mandate in the state,” Hidalgo said. “I’d like to focus on another number today, and that is 9.8%.”The judge reported that 9.8% of people over the age of 16 have been fully vaccinated in Harris County. The needless deaths and hospitalizations, that we can avoid if we just make it through this definition period,” Hidalgo said. She said the “most tragic number of all” is the 3,394 people who died in Harris County from COVID-19.

HOUSTON – When Texas’ COVID-19 occupancy and mask restrictions are lifted Wednesday, a chain of gyms statewide will offer its members a choice: mask or no mask. 24 Hour Fitness said it designates a “club within a club” for customers who don’t feel comfortable exercising without a mask. The option will be made available at each of 24 Hour Fitness’ 18 Houston-area locations, 38 total statewide. The gym keeps its full COVID-19 protocol online. Click here to read the gym’s COVID-19 safety plan: https://www.24hourfitness.com/company/health_first/

Greg Abbott’s announcement that the statewide mask mandate will be lifted, businesses rushed to issue statements regarding their own policies. After March 10, one of San Antonio’s most popular bars Hills and Dales Ice House will no longer require its customers or employees to wear a mask, KPRC 2′s sister-station KSAT reports. According to the report, owner Justin Vitek was surprised by the reversal of the mask mandate but has decided to honor Abbott’s decision. AdAccording to KSAT, Vitek is leaving the decision to wear a mask up to the individual and will not turn away any maskless customers. “If the no mask requirement makes some customers uncomfortable, Vitek said they have the option to choose a different establishment,” KSAT reports.

HOUSTON – With the state of Texas’ occupancy and mask restrictions set to be rescinded next week, some Houston-area performance venues are revisiting their policies. “That was great news coming from the governor,” said Jerry MacDonald, the president and CEO of Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands. That means the pavilion’s primary revenue generator, big concerts and other large events, has been a bust. MacDonald said the Governor’s rollback of restrictions will help, but while the change takes effect next week don’t look for any big concerts at the big pavilion any time soon. He said that’s because it takes months to plan a concert and most states remain with restrictions.

HOUSTON – Even when the mask mandate is lifted in Texas next week, customers will still need to wear a mask inside Phoenicia Specialty Foods in downtown Houston. He said the grocery store will keep the mask rule and limited capacity in place for now, even after next Wednesday. On social media, some businesses have posted that they plan to take the same route. “We want to remind you that private entities, private businesses, have a legal right to require you to wear a mask,” Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said in a video on Twitter. Attorney Katherine Treistman, a commercial litigator with Arnold & Porter, said private businesses are free to make their own policies.

Abbott’s decision to open up the state, making face masks no longer mandatory, is the wrong move at the wrong time, according to Dr. Varon. At his United Memorial Medical Center in north Houston, Dr. Varon worked battling COVID-19 since the pandemic began. Dr. Varon said everyone should keep wearing masks because they work. Now, Dr. Varon and his staff are preparing for another surge that he says will likely come as a result of the governor’s order. Dr Varon says in the short term, people should continue wearing masks and social distancing to stay safe.

HOUSTON – Several Houston religious leaders and congregations shared how they will handle services after Gov. Inside Congregation Beth Israel of Houston, the temple and its seats remain empty more often than not. Kabire said there are no plans to change any safety guidelines at this point. Lakewood church said it will continue to follow recommended health and safety guidelines. Church officials said capacity has not been an issue however they will monitor it as they expect attendance to increase.

As part of our Ask 2 series, the newsroom will answer your questions about all things Houston. Question: When does the mask mandate expire in Texas? Greg Abbott’s statewide executive order does not have a definite end date. Additionally, under Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo’s recent order, Houstonians will continue to wear masks in public settings for 14 days after the expiration of Abbott’s COVID-19 disaster declaration. Send it our way, and we will try to hunt down an answer.