'This is a victory for our kids' health': Texas Supreme Court declines state request to ban masks

The Texas Supreme Court has ruled to decline a request by the state and Gov. Greg Abbott to ban masks and will allow for schools to require face coverings. 

The ruling came on the issue Thursday, Aug. 19 as the Texas Supreme Court has decided to continue requiring masks in schools while a legal battle between Abbott and local officials ensues, NBC News reported. 

"Big win! The TX Supreme Court just declined the state’s request to stop our Harris County school mask order, at least for now. TEA also issued new guidance that mask prohibitions aren’t enforced during litigation. Our order remains in place. This is a victory for our kids’ health," Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo wrote in a tweet.

While the court did not offer an opinion as to why it ruled against the ban, the Texas Supreme Court did remand Attorney General Ken Paxton’s appeal to the Third Texas Court of Appeal for a hearing in Austin, according to NBC News. 

"Congratulations to @CDMenefee for his strong and persuasive argument in front of the TX Supreme Court," Hidalgo wrote in another tweet. 

While the Texas Supreme Court was declining the requested ban, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) suspended enforcing Abbott's ban of masks in the public school systems throughout the state, and stated it was due to ongoing court challenges, NBC News reported. 

The TEA, in a public health guidance letter, said the new guidance would be effective immediately and any further guidelines would be readdressed after the litigations were resolved, according to NBC News. 

Abbott had issued an emergency order last month, but continued with his ban on mask mandates being done by government entities, despite federal agencies having mandated masks, NBC News reported. 

At first, the Texas Supreme Court had upheld the ban and Paxton said that they would sue anyone who did not follow the emergency order, but no such lawsuits have yet come forth in the state, NBC News reported. 

As of Aug. 19, seven counties and 48 school districts have implemented mask mandates for returning to school following the end of summer break, according to NBC News.