Local governments or officials who attempt to put mask requirements in place can face a fine of up to $1,000.ByJoseph Guzman | May 19, 2021

getty: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R)

Story at a glance

• The executive action taken Tuesday prohibits the state’s counties, cities, school districts, public health authorities or government officials from implementing mask mandates.
• “Texans, not government, should decide their best health practices, which is why masks will not be mandated by public school districts or government entities,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said.
• The move by Abbott comes as several other Republican states have similarly moved to prohibit local governments from imposing mask mandates.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has issued an executive order that will bar public schools and most other government entities from requiring masks to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

The executive actiontaken Tuesday prohibits the state’s counties, cities, school…