The Texas mask mandate ends today. These are the current rules for the corona virus.

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Texas statewide mask mandate ended on March 10. Companies are now also allowed to run at full capacity as long as the hospitals in their region have not treated a large proportion of patients for COVID-19. Gov. Greg Abbott announced that he was relaxing those restrictions so that “Texas businesses and families are free to choose their own destiny.”

Health officials still stress the importance of wearing face masks to stop the spread of the virus, in addition to washing hands and social distancing. Several Democratic leaders called the executive branch “dangerous,” including President Joe Biden, who said it was a “big mistake” to end the mask mandate. In addition, three of Abbott’s four medical advisers on the coronavirus say they were not consulted directly before lifting the mandate.

Abbott said the state is in a “totally different position” from last year, with more access to testing, successful treatments, protective equipment and vaccines. However, Texas is still descending from a harsh winter wave that has killed thousands and overwhelming intensive care units across the state. Abbott’s decision to relax restrictions was announced as Texas had an average of more than 200 reported deaths per day and as Houston reported the presence of every COVID-19 variant, the Houston Chronicle reported.

Here’s a look at what the eased restrictions mean for Texans:

• Statewide, masks will no longer be needed in public for the first time since last summer. Abbott made face cover mandatory for most Texans on July 2. While masking is still required in more than 30 states, Texas is the most densely populated state that doesn’t need them. But federal, state and local health officials say masks should still be worn and other precautions taken to slow the spread of the virus.
• School boards, courts, and college campuses may still require masks. Local governments can also require them in their facilities. Masks are still required on federal grounds, on public transportation, and in public schools. Days after Abbott’s announcement, leaders of Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and El Paso announced that masks will be needed to enter inner city spaces such as libraries, police and fire headquarters, convention centers and transportation hubs.
• Legal protections for enforcing mask use have been significantly reduced According to the order – provincial judges and local officials cannot impose jail terms or penalties on those who refuse to wear a mask, nor punish companies that do not mandate the use of masks. However, they can still enforce violation ordinances.
• Public health leaders in Austin and Travis County say they will continue to require residents to wear masks in public. But officials have not said how they will enforce the order. If Austin tries to enforce his mask rule, it could set up another legal showdown between the state and his capital.
• Many entrepreneurs have said they need masks, while others feel powerless to enforce such a rule. Some companies have already faced backlash.
• Companies can revert to 100% capacity, but can still limit capacity or enforce security protocols “at their discretion”, according to Abbott’s latest order. That directive states that companies can still oblige employees or customers to wear masks. HEB, ALDI, Kroger and Target are among companies that still need masks. As of Tuesday, Walmart had not released any updated guidelines following the announcement; current policies still require in-store masking.
• Officials in areas where a large proportion of patients are hospitalized for COVID-19 could reduce business activitiesLocal officials can limit operations to 50% capacity if more than 15% of the hospital capacity in their region is used to treat patients with COVID-19 for seven consecutive days or longer. When that threshold is reached or exceeded, there are no automatic restrictions; local officials must hand them over.
• Prisoners’ visits to provincial and municipal prisons can be resumed for the first time since Abbott declared a public health disaster last year, bringing some relief for inmates in Texas. Visits must be planned in advance and only one adult can come at a time. A negative test result and face masks are required and physical contact is not allowed.
• All state parks begin the process of returning to full capacity, according to a press release from state parks. Director Rodney Franklin still strongly encourages visitors to wear face covers, especially indoors, and from a social distance. Most parks have a larger capacity, but others may have a capacity limit or are still recovering from the winter storm in February. According to a state parks press release, which was common before the pandemic, many parks are expected to reach capacity for both campers and day visitors at peak times.

Disclosure: HEB and Walmart were financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a non-profit, unbiased news organization funded in part by donations from members, foundations, and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no part in the Tribune’s journalism. Find a full list here.