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AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Texas Supreme Court on Sunday issued residence orders and temporarily blocked mask mandates issued by local leaders in San Antonio and Dallas earlier this week.
The Texas Attorney General’s office posted a statement on Twitter: “This ruling is intended to serve as a reminder to all ITS and local officials that the governor’s order stands.”
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Still, Dallas ISD said Sunday masks will be required for everyone on the district’s grounds later as students prepare to return to campus on Monday.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott wrote on Twitter after the verdict was announced: “The ban does not prohibit the use of masks. Anyone who wants to wear a mask can do so, even in schools. “
BREAKING: The Texas Supreme Court has issued a temporary suspension of lower court rulings overriding the state’s ban on mask mandates.
The ban does not prohibit the use of masks. Anyone who wants to wear a mask can do so, including in schools.https: //t.co/QeVipZMPWH
– Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) August 15, 2021
The Texas Tribune reported earlier this week that the 4th San Antonio Court of Appeals dismissed Abbott’s appeal to overturn an order from the local health department in Bexar County that requires the wearing of masks in local public schools. Abbott attempted to overturn a lower court ruling that allowed the local mandate.
Minutes later, the 5th Dallas Court of Appeals made an identical decision in Abbott’s contestation – and upheld the mandate – from Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins’ order to require masks to be used in public schools, universities and businesses.
On Sunday evening, Jenkins said on Twitter the decision didn’t stop ordering face masks. He wrote, “The Tex Supreme Court has not dismissed my face mask order. Instead, they lifted the suspension of GA 38. Unless I receive a different decision, I will amend my order to remove the possibility of fines for non-compliant companies, but otherwise leave the order in effect. “
The Tex Supreme Court did not overturn my order on face masks. Instead, they lifted the suspension of GA 38. Unless I am given a different decision, I will amend my order to remove the possibility of fines for non-compliant businesses, but otherwise keep the order in effect.
– Clay Jenkins (@JudgeClayJ) August 16, 2021
On Friday, Travis County District Court judge Jan Soifer issued an injunction to enforce local masking obligations.
Lawyers told KXAN that this restraining order is valid for 10 days as they are requesting a longer restraining order. The hearing on this will take place at the end of August.
Austin Mayor Steve Adler also responded to the Supreme Court ruling on Sunday, saying it does not speak against orders in the Austin Independent School District or for Austin-Travis County – which require masks at the time of this report.
“While we wait for a final decision, we believe that local rules are the rules,” Adler wrote on Twitter. “Regardless of what ultimately happens in court, if you are a parent, please keep fighting for everyone in schools to be masked. We stand by you. “
Regardless of what ultimately happens in court, if you are a parent, please keep fighting for everyone in schools to be masked. We are with you.
– Mayor Adler | To be vaccinated! (@ BürgermeisterAdler) August 15, 2021
A hearing on an injunction in the Bexar County case scheduled for Monday is unaffected, as is a hearing on an injunction in the Dallas County case, which is scheduled for August 24, according to a statement from the Texas Supreme Court.
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