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Montgomery, Ala. – Governor Kay Ivey issued her seventeenth supplemental emergency proclamation today, containing an amended Safer at Home Order that includes a statewide mask requirement. Individuals will be required to wear a mask or other facial covering when in public and in close contact with other people, as described in the order. This amended order extends until Friday, October 2, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
As schools and colleges re-open, Ivey noted that “it is not easy to add another task” for teachers already under immense pressure due to COVID-19. Ivey commended the University of Alabama and Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox for taking a proactive approach of closing bars and limiting gatherings. Multiple establishments in Auburn also have also closed in recent days to help stop the spread of the virus. Ivey indicated that coronavirus task force member Dr. Deobrah Birx expressed optimism about the positive trends Alabama has experienced since mandating masks.
State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris said he is “cautiously optimistic” about the steady decline of daily cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. Harris said he believes the mask ordinance is responsible for the decline. When asked when the mask ordinance would eventually be allowed to lapse, Harris said “if we see hospitalizations go way down, that would be a consideration.”
A tweet from Governor Ivey’s account also extolled Alabamians to remain dedicated until the number of cases drastically decline. Both Ivey and Harris thanked Alabamians for their commitment and willingness to wear masks. Harris added for citizens to “hang in there” for a little bit longer and do the right thing by wearing their masks and practicing social distancing, especially when attending high school football games and the during Labor Day weekend.
Alabama added 668 confirmed new cases yesterday as hospitalizations and the rate of transmission continue to slowly decline.
Information from Governor Ivey's Office about the updated order can be found here:
(Video below is from Fox 10 News)
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