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Updated Mar 4, 2021 - Health

Republican governor of West Virginia says there's no plan to lift mask mandate

Orion Rummler

West Virginia has no plans to lift its mask mandate, Gov. Jim Justice (R) told CNN on Thursday, adding, "I don't know what the rush is, and if we don't watch out, we can make some mistakes."

Why it matters: Texas and Mississippi, both led by Republican governors, are ending coronavirus restrictions as vaccinations ramp up across the country. Ditching the public safety measures could hasten another surge in coronavirus cases.

  • Alabama Governor Kay Ivey said Thursday that the state's mask mandate would last until April 9 and would not be extended further.

What he's saying: "As we continue to vaccinate more and more and more, we'll get rid of the masks. But I don't know really what the big rush to get rid of the masks is. Because these masks have saved a lot, a lot of lives," Justice said.

  • The governor said he had not had any discussions with the state's medical officials on lifting the mask mandate.

Flashback: President Biden characterized states choosing to relax coronavirus restrictions as "Neanderthal thinking" on Wednesday.

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