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Houston, Texas (August 13, 2021) – Today, a Travis County District Court judge granted Harris County’s request for an order preventing the state from enforcing Governor Abbott’s latest executive order, GA-38, which prohibits local officials from mandating masks and other measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Harris County Attorney’s Office expects the order will be signed later today. The case was argued by Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee. At the hearing, Harris County fought alongside school districts across the state to stand up to the Governor’s overreach.

Menefee stated:

“While this decision is temporary, it’s a victory for residents in Harris County who are concerned about this public health crisis. We need every tool at our disposal to stop the spread of COVID-19, including masks and other measures that are proven to slow the spread. It’s critical that we work swiftly to do as much as possible to protect those who cannot be vaccinated, like our young children heading to school and our immunocompromised.”

Once the judge signs the order, it will be in place until the court has a hearing on the County’s request for a temporary injunction (which would last until the final ruling in the case) and makes a decision. In the interim, the temporary restraining order allows Harris County and local school districts within Harris County to enact masking requirements for students and employees without fear of enforcement by the state.

Christian D. Menefee was elected as County Attorney for Harris County in November 2020. The office represents the largest county in Texas in all civil legal matters, including lawsuits.