AUSTIN, Texas - Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statewide face covering requirement on Thursday as the coronavirus outbreak continued to worsen in Texas."Governor Greg Abbott today issued an Executive Order requiring all Texans to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth in public spaces in counties with 20 or more positive COVID-19 cases, with few exceptions," the order read.Abbott's order goes into effect 12:01 p.m.
Friday and comes after weeks of resistance to instituting a statewide mandate. He had allowed cities or counties to require businesses to require masks.“COVID-19 is not going away, in fact it’s getting worse.