LUBBOCK, Texas — Texas Governor Greg Abbott spoke Tuesday afternoon in Lubbock, more specifically at Montelongo’s restaurant, where he announced an end to the statewide mask mandate and (for the most part) a 100 percent return to normal business.

Breaking News Update: Governor Abbott said, “It’s now time to open Texas 100 percent.”

“State mandates are no longer needed,” Abbott said. “Effective next Wednesday, all businesses of any type are allowed to open 100 percent. That includes any kind of entity of Texas.”

Abbott also said, “I am ending the statewide mask mandate.”

If a particular Trauma Service Area (TSA) is over 15 percent for the number of COVID-positive patients in hospitals for seven consecutive days, then a county judge in the TSA may use “COVID mitigation.” However, no one goes to jail, Abbott said, for refusal to wear a mask.

The live event is over. Use the video player above for a replay.

Abbott also said Texas is preparing to expand the categories of who is eligible to get a vaccine. Abbott believes anyone who wants a vaccine will have access in Texas within a matter of months.

Governor Abbott issued the following written statement shortly after his remarks in Lubbock.

Governor Abbott Lifts Mask Mandate, Opens Texas 100 Percent

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today issued an Executive Order (GA-34) lifting the mask mandate in Texas and increasing capacity of all businesses and facilities in the state to 100 percent. The Governor made the announcement at Montelongo’s Mexican Restaurant in Lubbock in an address to the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce.

“With the medical advancements of vaccines and antibody therapeutic drugs, Texas now has the tools to protect Texans from the virus,” said Governor 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. Today’s 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.”

During his remarks, the Governor discussed the incredible advancements that Texas has made that allow the state to open fully and lift the mask mandate—noting the rapid increase of vaccines. Nearly 5.7 million vaccine shots have been administered to Texans, and the state is now administering almost one million shots each week. By next Wednesday, about 7 million shots will have been administered in Texas and over half of seniors in Texas will have received a vaccine shot. By the end of March, every senior who wants a vaccine should be able to get one. The vaccine supply continues to increase so rapidly that more and more Texans will soon be eligible to receive a vaccine.

The Governor noted that Texas has a surplus of personal protective equipment and can perform over 100,000 COVID-19 tests a day. The state has invested in a variety of anti-body therapeutic drugs that have kept thousands of Texans out of hospitals. Texans have also adopted daily habits that reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure and infection. More than 2.5 million Texans who were lab confirmed for COVID-19 have recovered since the beginning of the pandemic, and experts note the total number of Texans who have recovered from COVID-19 is likely 4-5 times that amount. The number of active COVID-19 cases is the lowest since November—meaning more Texans are recovering from COVID-19 than contracting it.

This executive order rescinds most of the Governor’s earlier executive orders related to COVID-19. Effective next Wednesday, all businesses of any type may open to 100% capacity. Additionally, this order ends the statewide mask mandate in Texas. Businesses may still limit capacity or implement additional safety protocols at their own discretion.

If COVID-19 hospitalizations in any of the 22 hospital regions in Texas get above 15% of the hospital bed capacity in that region for seven straight days, a County Judge in that region may use COVID-19 mitigation strategies. However, County Judges may not impose jail time for not following COVID-19 orders nor may any penalties be imposed for failing to wear a face mask. If restrictions are imposed at a County level, those restrictions may not include reducing capacity to less than 50% for any type of entity.

View the Governor’s executive order.

The governor issued and/or altered restrictions at multiple times during 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic killed some Texans and infected many more.

In October, Lubbock area businesses that had been open to 75 percent reverted to 50 percent capacity. Bars were ordered to close for in-person customers but could still use drive-through, pickup or delivery. Some businesses reclassified their TABC alcohol licenses to act as restaurants instead of bars.

There were also restrictions on non-emergency surgeries and medical procedures in Lubbock and a 22-county area around Lubbock.

The 50 percent cap was later allowed back up to 75 after three months when the number of COVID patients in Lubbock-area hospitals decreased.

As of Tuesday morning, Texas recorded 42,995 deaths and nearly 2.3 million confirmed cases since the start of the pandemic. The City of Lubbock Health Department, for the city and Lubbock County combined, reported 709 deaths and 48,175 total cases as of Tuesday morning.