DOTHAN, Ala. – Alabama’s latest COVID-19 health order is set to expire Wednesday.
Gov. Kay Ivey announced the “Safer Apart” order on April 7. The “slimmed down” order did not close or limit any businesses, school or church activities but recommended “common sense,” when it comes to coronavirus prevention efforts, Ivey said. The previous order also allowed the state’s mask order to expire, though many schools and businesses continue to require facial coverings.
Ivey said earlier this month she stood by the decision to end the mask ordinance.
“One of the frustrations of the American people over this past year has been the constantly changing goal post. Certainly, this is a novel virus and guidance has evolved as we have learned more, but that is just it: we have learned more,” Ivey told Fox News. “We have been at this for more than a year now, and we have simply got to move forward. Endless government mandates are not the answer.”
The mask order was first put in place in July 2020 as the number of coronavirus cases in the state started to grow. It was extended several times but allowed to expire as cases and hospitalizations fell.
Since March 2020, Alabama has had 528,784 cases of COVID-19 with 10,913 deaths. Some 1.125 million people have been vaccinated with 326 people currently hospitalized, roughly 10% the number at its highest point in January.
