Some States are Lifting Coronavirus Restrictions But Keeping Mask Mandates in Place

(CNN)As coronavirus cases and deaths continue to fall in many states, political leaders are facing decisions on when to loosen restrictions meant to help curb the spread of Covid-19.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has said his state is reopening 100%, and as of next Wednesday people in the Lone Star State won't be required to wear a face covering. Mississippi, North Dakota, Iowa and Montana have also lifted, or will soon lift, mask mandates.
Some critics have said the moves are premature given the potential for more transmissible variants to prompt another surge and that the baseline number of coronavirus cases is still high.

California, home to some of the country's favorite amusement parks and sports teams, will allow parkgoers and fans to potentially go in beginning April 1.

"We feel like now is the appropriate time to begin to reintroduce these activities in some fashion, and in a guarded way, in a slow and steady way," state Health and Human Services Secretary Mark Ghaly said Friday in a teleconference.

Theme parks, sports and concert venues have been shuttered in California for nearly a year.
There will be capacity restrictions tied to Covid-19 numbers and places like Disneyland, Magic Mountain and Universal Studios can only let state residents reserve admission. And California still has a face covering requirement in public spaces.

Meanwhile, other states are extending mask mandates.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed an order Friday to extend his state's mandate for another 30 days. And Arizona and West Virginia are keeping theirs, too, even as the governors on Friday announced they will lift capacity limits at places like restaurants and bars.

"We've got over half, well over half, of our total population in this state that's above 65 years of age and older that have gotten shots and that are protected," West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice said.
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont on Friday defended his decision to reopen some businesses at full capacity with a mask mandate.

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