Officials in Austin and Travis County, Texas, could continue for at least two more weeks to enforce their mask mandates after a district court judge on Friday refused to grant the state a necessary restraining order, NBC subsidiary KXAN reported.
Why it matters: The decision keeps the mandate in place during the spring breaks of many schools in the Austin area.
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Context: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the city Thursday, claiming that the city’s leadership is challenging an order issued by President Greg Abbott last week revoking the mandate of a nationwide mask.
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In the case, it is alleged that the governor’s order ‘prevents more restrictive local emergency orders’.
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The executive order, which went into effect on Wednesday, does allow local governments to enforce mask mandates in regions where coronavirus hospitalizations rise above 15% of bed capacity for seven consecutive days.
What she says: “People have been wearing masks for a year. I do not know that another two weeks is going to matter somehow,” Judge Lora Livingston said according to the Austin U.S. statesman during a Friday hearing.
Yes, but: The action is not a final decision. Livingston can still stand with the state after hearing more arguments.
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