By Marla Jones, Managing Editor • marla@southerntorch.com

ALABAMA — U.S. Senator Doug Jones (D-Ala.) announced on Wednesday that he supported Alabama Governor Kay Ivey’s decision to enforce a statewide mask ordinance.  With the rise of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths across Alabama, Senator Jones has urged the citizens of  Alabama to follow guidance from public health officials to wear masks, social distance, and stay home as much as possible.

“Governor Ivey did the right thing today by enacting a statewide mask policy. Unlike her counterparts in other Deep South states, Governor Ivey is clearly following the advice of health care professionals. Many Alabama communities in COVID-19 hotspots have already taken this step, which will help limit the spread of this virus and reduce the strain on our struggling hospitals and health care workers, and it just makes sense to do it on a statewide basis,” said Senator Jones, a member of the Senate Health Committee. “We all want to move past this deadly, disruptive pandemic. By taking the simple steps of wearing a mask and social distancing, we can each do our part to protect lives and livelihoods.”

The mask ordinance will go into effect at 5:00 p.m on July 16.