Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., took to Twitter on Tuesday to criticize Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, for his decision to remove the requirement of wearing masks.
Abbott announced earlier in the day that people in Texas no longer will need to wear masks beginning March 10, in an attempt to reopen the Lonestar State “100 percent” following restrictions implemented eight months earlier due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Newsom, whose lockdowns and penchant for violating his own restrictions have prompted a recall movement, commented on a retweet of an Associated Press story about Abbott’s announcement.
"Absolutely reckless," Newsom said, per Fox News.
Abbott said he also will rescind the state’s previous executive orders that prevented all businesses from opening at full capacity.
“Removing state mandates does not end personal responsibility," Abbott said. "Personal vigilance to follow the safe standards is still needed to contain COVID. It’s just that now state mandates are no longer needed."
Vaccines, combined with the state’s low positivity and hospitalization rate, allowed Texas to reopen, according to Abbot.
In California, 96 percent of the population remains in the most restrictive purple tier, though a number of counties were expected to move to the less restrictive red tier this week.
Abbott’s decision came as governors across the U.S. have been easing coronavirus restrictions.
Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., lifted all restrictions in September, and banned local fines for those who didn't wear masks. Local governments still were allowed to limit bar and restaurant capacity to 50 percent.
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