Texas Governor Greg Abbott bans vaccine mandates by "any entity" in the state

Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order on Monday banning "any entity" in the state from enforcing a vaccine mandate. Abbott had previously issued orders banning government officials and entities from instating mask mandates. 

"No entity in Texas can compel receipt of a COVID-19 vaccine by any individual, including an employee or a consumer, who objects to such vaccination for any reason of personal conscience, based on a religious belief, or for medical reasons, including prior recovery from COVID-19," the order reads. "I hereby suspend all relevant statutes to the extent necessary to enforce this prohibition."

Those found in violation of the order will be subject to a fine.