Texas Gov. Abbott announces plan to fully reopen businesses, end state mask mandate

Texas’s Republican Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday said he planned to open the state next week "100%," roughly a year after the coronavirus pandemic broke out throughout the U.S.

Abbott said he will issue an executive order that rescinds many of the state’s previous executive orders, and effective next Wednesday all businesses in the state will be allowed to fully reopen and the statewide mask mandate will be revoked.

"Removing state mandates does not end personal responsibility," Abbott cautioned. "Personal vigilance to follow the safe standards is still needed to contain COVID. It’s just that now state mandates are no longer needed."