Ivey Extends “Safer-At-Home” Order, Mask Mandate

Ivey Extends “Safer-At-Home” Order, Mask Mandate

By Zach Hester, Reporter • zach@southerntorch.com

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — At a press conference on Wednesday, Governor Kay Ivey (R-Ala.) extended the State of Alabama’s “Safer-at-Home” order, which includes a statewide mask mandate, until the end of August.

The order was previously set to expire at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 31. The updated order now includes a mask requirement for students and faculty participating in in-person instruction at schools this fall for students from 2nd grade through college.

Ivey encouraged schools to “get kids back in classrooms as quickly as possible.” 

Two weeks ago, Ivey announced the statewide mandate requiring masks for Alabamians when you are within six feet of another person outside your household, a vehicle operated by a transportation service, or an outdoor public space where 10 or more people are gathered.

The 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.

“I believe we are making progress in this arena,” said Ivey. “Wearing a mask can’t hurt, but it sure can help.”

Alabama State Public Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris delivered an update on COVID-19 numbers. As of Wednesday morning, the State of Alabama had 81,687 cases with almost 1,500 deaths. 32,510 Alabamians are labeled as “presumed recoveries.” 

To read the full order, please visit alabamapublichealth.gov.

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