The governors of Texas and Mississippi are lifting mask mandates and rolling back Covid restrictions, but community colleges and other organizations can continue to require masks and social distancing. And several two-year colleges have announced that they plan to stick to their Covid health and safety protocols for now.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday issued an executive order lifting the mask mandate and increasing capacity of all businesses and facilities in the state to 100% as of March 10. Businesses may still limit capacity or implement additional safety protocols at their own discretion.
“Today’s announcement does not abandon safe practices that Texans have mastered over the past year,” Abbott said Tuesday. “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.”
Also on Tuesday, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves signed an executive order that went into effect March 3, rescinding many restrictions. However, a capacity limit on sports facilities remains, as do rules for K-12 schools.
Several community colleges in both states announced plans to stick with their Covid guidelines. Some said they plan to retain the protocols through the end of the spring academic term, while others said they will keep them in place until they review their Covid rules.