Florida governor Ron DeSantis has been accused of continuing a "killing spree" after he extended an order that bans local governments from enforcing mask mandate violations.
The order, first signed in September, was extended on Wednesday - which prevents cities from fining people who fail to mask up.
The order also allows Florida to move to "phase 3" of the pandemic - where restaurants, bars and shops can reopen at full capacity.
"No COVID-19 emergency ordinance may prevent an individual from working or from operating a business," the order wrote.
"This order suspends the collection of fines and penalties associated with COVID-19 enforced upon individuals."
Florida Democratic officials slammed this decision, and accused him of continuing a "killing spree".
Chris King, the 2018 Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor, tweeted on Wednesday in response to a local news story about the decision.
"Alternative headline: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Continues Killing Spree," he wrote.
Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade County mayor called this decision "deeply frustrating".
"Bipartisan governors nationwide are putting mask orders in place as one of the best tools we have to fight COVID-19," she wrote on Twitter.
"It's deeply frustrating that @GovRonDeSantis continues to block local actions and make it harder for local leaders to keep our communities safe."
Florida's relaxed enforcement comes as a second wave of COVID-19 slams the US.
The US reported 2,046 deaths on Wednesday - the highest one-day death toll reported since early May, according to John Hopkins University.
