Andrew Wilson, Digital Journalist/Social Media Producer
FILE - In this July 7, 2020, file photo, a visitor wearing a mask to protect against the spread of COVID-19 passes a sign requiring masks in San Antonio. Texas on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, became the biggest state to lift its mask rule, joining a growing movement by governors and other leaders across the U.S. to loosen COVID-19 restrictions despite pleas from health officials not to let down their guard yet. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File) (Eric Gay, Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
SAN ANTONIO – After Gov. Greg Abbott’s announcement on Tuesday to reopen Texas and reverse the mask mandate many businesses are having to decide what their next steps will be.
H-E-B was one of the first to release a statement saying until numbers improve, H-E-B will require workers to continue wearing masks and urged customers to keep doing so as well but didn’t mandate it.
Recommended Videos
“Although there is no longer a statewide mask order, H-E-B believes it is important that masks be worn in public spaces until more Texans and our Partners have access to the COVID-19 vaccine,” a spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, many other San Antonio businesses are keeping their mask mandates in place.
Here’s a list of businesses that will still require masks to be worn in their establishments:
Here’s a list of restaurants that will still require masks to be worn in their establishments:
The Art of Donut
Bakery Lorrain (all locations)
Battalion
Bilia Eatery
Boss Bagels
Carmelita’s Mexican Restaurant
Clementine
Curry Boys BBQ
Drink Tank
Eleanor 1909 Cheesesteaks
Fletcher’s at The Pearl
Hemline San Antonio
Holy Pops
Hot Joy
La Gloria (all locations)
Mina & Dimi’s Greekhouse
Motel Fried Chicken
Paciugo San Antonio
Panifico Bake Shop
Papa’s Burgers
Pinch Boil House
Ray Harmon’s Barbecue
Rio’s Barbacoa
Smallcakes San Antonio
Smokey Boys Barbecue
Sorrento Ristorante & Pizzeria
Stranded Coffee
Takikos Taco Shop
Tenko Ramen at The Pearl
Verde Bistro Tapas & Martini Bar
Wing-IT and Sip-It locations
On Tuesday, Abbott announced a reversal to the mask mandate and said he will allow businesses to operate at full capacity again starting March 10, citing improved COVID-19 metrics and increasing vaccination numbers.
Texas still lags behind most of the United States on vaccination percentage numbers.
*Editor’s note: This story will be updated as more businesses announce what protocols they will be taking.
Erica Hernandez is an Emmy award-winning journalist with 15 years of experience in the broadcast news business. Erica has covered a wide array of stories all over Central and South Texas. She's currently the court reporter and cohost of the podcast Texas Crime Stories.
