City leaders frustrated with Governor's new order as Austin-Travis Co. reaches Stage 5

AUSTIN, TEXAS -- State and local leaders are reacting after Governor Greg Abbott's recent executive order says city and county governments cannot require masks. The order is getting pushback as Austin-Travis county is on the brink of entering Stage 5 of coronavirus guidelines.

Austin leaders have put out an urgent message for everyone to wear a mask and get vaccinated. As hospitals are filling up and ICU beds run low, state and local leaders said they are frustrated with the governor’s orders.

“You know, what's happening with COVID right now in our community is pretty darn scary,” Austin Mayor Steve Adler said.

As Austin-Travis County ICUs fill up with new COVID-19 patients Mayor Adler is calling on everyone to mask up.

“We're seeing numbers, and admissions, and new cases, and people in our ICUs that are accelerating dramatically, and it's accelerating at a faster rate than what we saw in our earlier surges,” Adler said.

If it was his choice, masks would be required. But after Governor Abbott issued a new order barring local governments from mandating vaccine passports and masks, he can’t.

“I am frustrated with the governor's orders. Ultimately, I believe cities and counties, but especially local health authorities have the ability and the power to be able to act regardless of what the governor says,” Adler said.

Governor Abbott said he believes wearing a mask should be a personal responsibility rather than mandating masks. He added that vaccines are the most effective defense against the virus.

State Representative Donna Howard said the governor's decision to prohibit mask mandates are irresponsible as the 7-day moving average of new hospital admissions in Austin-Travis County reaches 50.

"It is now imperative local communities have the opportunity to protect the people that live in their communities. The fact the governor is tying their hands is absolutely egregious and it will result in the deaths of Texans,” Howard said.

“The number one message is to get vaccinated. This is a pandemic among the unvaccinated,” Adler said.

Even though Austin-Travis County has reached the level of Stage 5, the county is still in Stage 4 risk-based guidelines until Austin Public Health makes the announcement.