Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey extends mask mandate

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced on Sept. 30 that she was extending the statewide mask mandate through Nov. 8.

The mask mandate was scheduled to expire on Oct. 2 but Ivey said that she did not believe it was time to allow it to expire.

“I know there are many people throughout this state that hoped we would follow the lead of some other states that have removed the mask order and I hear you,” Ivey said. “I look forward to being able to lift the mask order and hope we can sooner rather than later.”

Ivey cited decreasing COVID-19 numbers as proof the mask mandate is working and said that she wanted to see those numbers continue to decrease and also mentioned the upcoming general election in her reasoning.

“It is important to have a safe environment for our poll watchers and our poll workers and we want people to be able to vote safely,” Ivey said. “It is our sacred duty to vote and I want everyone to do it and do it safely.

“Alabama has made real progress. We did not have a surge in COVID-19 cases that was predicted after the Labor Day weekend. Our mask order is working and our numbers speak for themselves. Hospitalizations are decreasing and new cases each day have consistently been dropping.”

Ivey also announced a change to her “Safer at Home” order that will allow one visitor or caregiver at a time at long-term living facilities, such as nursing homes, and hospitals.

Ivey and Alabama State Health Officer Scott Harris also said that the state was preparing to distribute a potential vaccine in the coming weeks, if a vaccine becomes available.

Ivey also discussed new rapid COVID-19 tests that the federal government has supplied the state. More than 1 million rapid tests will be made available in coming weeks and Ivey said that school children and vulnerable children would be made priorities for these free tests, which return results in 15 minutes.

There were no other changes made to the Safer at Home order.