Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday issued an executive order lifting the statewide mask mandate and increasing the capacity of all businesses and facilities in the state to 100%, effective Wednesday, March 10. 

READ ALSO: Rio Grande Valley public officials react to Gov. Abbott's order ending Texas mask mandate

School districts across the Rio Grande Valley are reacting to the order ending the mask mandate and opening Texas.

Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District: 

Edinburg CISD is aware of Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order, which lifts the statewide mask mandate on March 10, 2021. As we await guidance from the Texas Education Agency (TEA), we will continue to adhere to our current Campus/Facilities Work Safe Plans. In the meantime, students and staff are required to wear facial masks and practice social distancing until further notice. We will keep you updated on any changes. For more information on our Work Safe Plans, please visit https://www.ecisd.us/apps/pages/staff_safety. Thank you for your support in this matter

Mission Consolidated Independent School District:

"Here in Mission CISD, we will continue to do our part to help contribute to community health and plan to keep using medical and CDC advice regarding safe learning environment practices. We will continue our daily COVID-19 screenings, temperature checks, mask wearing, distancing measures, etc. 

IDEA Public Schools:

IDEA Public Schools has announced that to keep staff, students, and families safe, the district will continue with all current safety protocols in schools across Texas. 

“At IDEA Public Schools, we remain steadfast in the belief that our health and safety protocols have been the key to mitigating the spread of COVID-19 in our schools and communities,” Chief Operating Officer at IDEA Public Schools Irma Munoz said in a news release. “Study after study has reaffirmed this belief, and we will continue to operate under the latest recommendations from the CDC, and local and state health authorities, in an effort to keep our scholars and communities safe.” 

La Feria Independent School District

This will be a fluid situation over the next several days as we receive guidance from the Texas Education Agency. La feria ISD will continue to operate with current face mask requirements and other CDC guidelines until further notice.

PSJA Independent School District:

As a school system, under SY 20-21 Public Health Planning Guidance issued by the Texas Education Agency, PSJA ISD will continue to require face mask coverings at all facilities, and will continue mitigation efforts of social distancing, temperature checks and other health protocols currently established to ensure the continued health and safety of all students, staff and visitors.

McAllen Independent School District:

In a social media post on Tuesday McAllen ISD Superintendent J.A. Gonzalez said the district will continue to require students and staff to wear masks and follow social distancing measures as part of the districts safety protocols.

Sharyland Independent School District:

In a social media post Sharyland ISD Superintendent Dr. Maria M. Vidaurri said the district is currently reviewing the executive order and seeking further guidance from the Texas Education Agency (TEA).

The district will continue to require that all students, staff and visitors wear masks on district property and events. All safety protocol will remain in effect until further clarification is obtained.

Los Fresnos Consolidated Independent School District:

Los Fresnos CISD will continue to follow safety protocols despite the Governor’s lifting of the mask mandate Tuesday. 

"We are pleased to see a downward trend in the COVID case counts in Cameron County. Still, Los Fresnos CISD is not issuing any changes to our present protocols," Los Fresnos Superintendent Gonzalo Salazar said in a news release. "Please know that we will keep you updated if there are any changes in our protocols. The protocols we have in place are yielding the desired results and we encourage anyone interested in having their children participate in face-to-face instruction to contact the campus principal to make those arrangements."

San Benito Consolidated Independent School District: 

"Our Board of Trustees, Superintendent of Schools, and district administrators remain committed to the safety protocols currently in place – including wearing face coverings and social distancing. We certainly believe that the mask requirement at all District locations should continue for the foreseeable future as to ensure the health and well-being of our students, staff, and community. We remain hopeful for the day when we no longer have to wear masks, but we will not suspend this necessary public health measure until the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Texas Department of State Health Services and other medical leaders deem it safe to do so. “Our dedicated employees have been on the frontlines throughout the pandemic, keeping schools safe and open for our students. The safety of our students and staff is paramount and will remain at the forefront of all decisions made,” explained Superintendent Dr. Nate Carman. In solidarity with many districts across Texas, the San Benito CISD has reached out to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for guidance on how the Governor’s decision will impact COVID-19 safety protocols currently in place for schools. The TEA has indicated that guidance will be available soon. Until that guidance is provided, the San Benito CISD will continue to follow its existing safety protocols for all staff and students. It is important to note that while Governor Abbott lifted the mask mandate, his Executive Order encouraged individuals to wear masks and strongly encouraged every person to follow the Texas Department of State Health Services health recommendations."