S states across the nation from Michigan, Louisiana, Texas, Massachusetts and Mississippi are all loosening or lifting covid 19 restrictions as reported infections are on the decline, but health officials are strongly warning against it.

Today we are announcing that restaurants and bars can operate at 50% capacity.

That's up from 25% On Tuesday.

Michigan and Louisiana eased limits on capacity for indoor, dining and other businesses, with Michigan's Democratic governor Gretchen Whitmer saying venues like movie theaters, bowling alleys and banquet halls will be able to have up to 300 patrons inside or 1000 outside.

With the revised order taking effect on Friday and lasting through mid April, Michigan is number nine nationwide for total vaccines administered.

The increased capacity limits outlined in this order will still give us the ability to protect public health as we carefully track variance and continue leading with science and data.

Arkansas and Massachusetts this week ordered that restaurants no longer have capacity limits, and in Texas it is now time to open Texas 100%.

The governor went even further, lifting its mask mandate entirely.

Removing state mandates does not end personal responsibility.

There were mixed reactions from residents near Houston.

Who I'm about done with, Miss.

I know everybody's anxious.

I'm anxious, but I think a few more weeks, months, maybe whatever number maybe shouldn't hurt anybody.

Mississippi also ended its mask mandate, effective on Wednesday, with the Republican governor, Tate Reeves tweeting quote.

It is time.

Now is not the time to release all restrictions.

But on Wednesday, C D C Director Rochelle Walensky cautioned against relaxing restrictions and urged Americans to continue public health precautions despite what their states permit.

The next month or two is really pivotal in terms of how this pandemic goes as we scale a vaccination, every individual has is empowered to do the right thing here, regardless of what the states decide.

And President Biden on Wednesday echoed that sentiment.

Jackson.

I think it's a big mistake, and the last thing the last thing we need is Neanderthal thinking that in the meantime everything's fine.

Take off your mask.

Forget it still matters.