By Zach Hester, Reporter • zach@southerntorch.com
PHOTO: The State of Alabama's mask mandate will end as planned on April 9, despite President Biden's calls for the extension of COVID-19 restrictions. (Hal Yeager | The Montgomery Advertiser)
ALABAMA — Despite calls from federal authorities – including President Biden himself – many state governors are set to end many coronavirus restrictions early next month, with Alabama among those states planning to end its statewide mask mandate.
On March 4, Governor Kay Ivey (R-Ala.) announced the final extension of the State of Alabama’s “Safer-at-Home” order, which includes a mask mandate. The health order defines “mask” as any covering that covers both the nose and mouth. Exceptions for the order include practical necessities defined by the Alabama Department of Public Health, some exercise, and voting or religious worship, though masks are encouraged in all of these scenarios as well.
“Let me be abundantly clear, after April 9, I will not keep the mask order in effect,” said Ivey. “While I’m convinced a mask mandate has been the right thing to do, I also respect those who object and believe this was a step too far in government overreach.”
Alabama is currently one of just 33 states with a mask mandate. Seven states that previously had mask orders, including Arkansas, Iowa, Mississippi, Texas, Wyoming, Montana, and North Dakota, have already lifted their regulations.
President Joe Biden appealed for mask orders to be maintained across the board in order to avoid a new surge in COVID-19 cases across the country.
“The war against COVID-19 is far from won,” said Biden. “As much as we’re doing, America, it’s time to do even more.”
Gina Maiola, a spokesperson with the Governor’s Office, stated despite Biden’s urging, Alabama’s mask order will still end next week.
“As Governor Ivey has previously stated, Alabama’s mask mandate ends April 9,” said Maiola. “We have made progress, and we are moving towards personal responsibility and common sense, not endless government mandates.”
Despite the end of the statewide mandate, the City of Birmingham is set to vote on April 6 to keep its mask requirement inside the city limits.
In an interview with The Birmingham Times, City Council President William Parker stated, “I think by listening to Dr. Fauci and other experts on the national, state, and county level that we are just not there yet...we will probably go in 30 or 45-day increments and I feel very confident that we will take aggressive action in passing the ordinance.”
For more information and current COVID-19 case statistics in the State of Alabama, please visit alabamapublichealth.gov.