With COVID-19 cases decreasing around the country, some states are beginning to ease restrictions, despite concerns from public health experts. Texas governor Greg Abbott announced his order to lift all pandemic restrictions in his state effective Wednesday, March 10. This means Texans will no longer be required to wear masks in public or limit gatherings and all businesses are allowed to open at full capacity. All of Governor Abbott’s emergency orders regarding the COVID-19 pandemic are being fully rescinded.

However, as public health officials are quick to remind people, the pandemic is far from over. President Biden recently said that it was his hope things would get back to normal “by this time next year” as COVID-19 vaccinations are still being rolled out to more people across the country.

During the worst of the pandemic, New Mexicans often lamented travelers from Texas, a state with lighter pandemic restrictions and a very high number of cases. Even though New Mexico required self-quarantining for visitors from high-risk states like Texas, many on social media observed these guidelines were being ignored by visitors.

As of early February, New Mexico stopped requiring visitors from out of state to quarantine, but still “highly recommend” self-quarantining based on certain guidelines. Texas is currently on the list of “high-risk” states even though numbers of COVID-19 infections have been decreasing.

So the recent actions by Governor Abbott is making many New Mexicans uneasy. Matt Bieber, spokesperson for the NM Department of Health stated at a press conference, “We’re concerned about Texas’ decision,” saying that the science doesn’t point to New Mexico or Texas being ready to back off all pandemic restrictions yet.

This sentiment has been echoed at the national level with White House senior COVID-19 adviser Andy Slavitt saying on CNN, “We think it’s a mistake to lift these mandates too early.”

While Texas’s actions pose a threat to all Americans, those areas sharing a border with the state are most concerned. The mayors of Hobbs and Las Cruces both shared their worries about the reopening. In particular, they have raised concerns about the potential health and economic impact, urging residents to stay local, order take-out and resist the urge to visit Texas for dining, shopping and entertainment.

“I don’t want those dollars to go to Texas. I want them to stay in our local community, support our local businesses. And I do have a concern about a potential resurgence in the virus.”   

Sam Cobb, mayor of Hobbs, nm

While there will not be any state restrictions in Texas, businesses are still free to refuse service to customers not wearing masks and many large chains plan to continue requiring masks and social distancing. Whole Foods, Walmart and Target are among some of the national brands that will continue to mandate masks in Texas.