AUSTIN, Texas — Masks will still be required in Texas schools, unless the local school board decides otherwise, according to the latest guidance released Wednesday by the Texas Education Agency. The decision follows Gov. Greg Abbott’s announcement that the state is lifting pandemic restrictions, including the statewide mask mandate.

The Texas State Teachers Association spoke out against the governor’s decision, saying in a statement, “Gov. Abbott needs to quit obeying his political impulses and listen to the health experts, who are warning that it is too soon to let our guard down without risking potentially disastrous consequences.”

Some in the teachers union are also speaking out against the TEA’s decision to leave mask rules up to local officials.

“They always follow along with Abbott says,” said Linda Estrada, vice president of the TSTA, during an interview on Capital Tonight. “Not taking the responsibility they should take in trying to keep everybody safe.”

The guidance from the TEA came the same day that health officials announced teachers and school staff are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. That move followed the Biden administration urging all states to prioritize educators, saying they want all teachers to have received at least one shot by the end of the month. Estrada cast doubt on that possibility, citing vaccine distribution issues in Texas.

“It’s been a hit or miss,” she said. “But I’m hoping now that President Biden has made this announcement that they will have more vaccines.”