Texas becomes biggest US state to lift COVID-19 mask mandate

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott delivers an announcement, broadcasted on the TV in the background, as a crowd watches him make it at Montelongo's Mexican Restaurant on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Lubbock, Texas. Governor Abbott announced that he is rescinding executive orders that limit capacities for businesses and the statewide mask mandate. (Justin Rex/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal via AP)

Signs tells customers about safety measures against COVID-19 that are required inside a retail store Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Dallas. Texas is lifting a COVID-19 mask mandate that was imposed last summer but has only been lightly enforced. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s announcement Tuesday makes Texas the largest state to do away with a face covering order. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Texas Governor Greg Abbott delivers an announcement in Montelongo's Mexican Restaurant on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Lubbock, Texas. Abbott announced that he is rescinding executive orders that limit capacities for businesses and the state wide mask mandate. (AP Photo/Justin Rex)

To prevent the spread of Covid-19, travelers wear masks at Love Field Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Motorists wait in line for the second dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on Texas Loop 338 during the first day of the second dose vaccinations at the Ratliff Stadium Mass Vaccination Site on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 in Odessa, Texas. (Jacob Ford/Odessa American via AP)

FILE - In this Feb. 16, 2021, file photo, Scotty Davis, right, waits for his to-go order in a dark restaurant during a cold weather blackout in Richardson, Texas. Texas on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, became the biggest state to lift its mask rule, joining a growing movement by governors and other leaders across the U.S. to loosen COVID-19 restrictions despite pleas from health officials not to let down their guard yet. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)

Tasha Arevalo, right, laughs with Joseph Butler while eating at Mo's Irish Pub, Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Houston. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced that he is lifting business capacity limits and the state's mask mandate starting next week. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

A customer exits a store with a mask required sign displayed, Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Bartender Alyssa Dooley makes a cocktail at Mo's Irish Pub, Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Houston. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Tuesday that he is lifting business capacity limits and the state's mask mandate starting next week. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Bartender Alyssa Dooley, center, talks with customers at Mo's Irish Pub, Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Houston. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced that he is lifting business capacity limits and the state's mask mandate starting next week. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

To prevent the spread of Covid-19, travelers wear masks as the make their way through Love Field Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Bartender Alyssa Dooley talks with customers at Mo's Irish Pub, Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Houston. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced that he is lifting business capacity limits and the state's mask mandate starting next week. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

To prevent the spread of Covid-19, a sign directs travelers to wear masks at Love Field Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

A customer enters a store with a face mask required sign displayed Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Dallas. Texas is lifting a COVID-19 mask mandate that was imposed last summer but has only been lightly enforced. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s announcement Tuesday makes Texas the largest state to do away with a face covering order. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

A mask required sign is displayed on the entrance to a business Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)