(KTEN) -- Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt says he backs the decision of fellow Republican Gov. Greg Abbott to end face mask mandates and other COVID-19 safety restrictions.

Stitt said it's the right thing to do, but notes that Oklahoma  has never had a statewide face mask mandate. In an interview with KTEN, Stitt said wearing a mask is a personal responsibility, the same theme echoed by Abbott in his executive order that takes effect on March 10.

"I set out three main pillars: Number one was to protect the lives of Oklahomans but also was to keep our businesses open safely and keep our kids in school safely," Stitt said. "That's the balanced approach we took, and now other states are catching on, and I applaud all the other states that are kind of following our lead."

The Oklahoma governor said states that shut down in the face of the coronavirus pandemic are now seeing budget deficits.

"We are seeing a budget surplus this year, actually $1.6 billion," Stitt boasted.

The Centers for Disease Control reports that Oklahoma ranks No. 7 among all states in the number of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population.  The CDC says 18 percent of state residents have received at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine.