Face Masks Now Mandatory In Alabama: Ivey

MONTGOMERY, AL — Alabama will join multiple states in the country Thursday in requiring face coverings in public to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Gov. Kay Ivey made the announcement Wednesday.

"I know with all of my heart that the numbers and the data over the past few weeks are definitely trending in the wrong direction," Ivey said in her announcement Wednesday morning. Ivey's mandate comes a day after the state reported a record-high of 40 COVID-19 deaths in a single day.

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Individuals will be required to wear a mask or other facial covering when in public and in close contact with other people who are not family members.

The order specifies masks must be worn in the following spaces:

• an indoor space open to the public
• a vehicle operated by a transportation service
• an outdoor space where 10 or more people are gathered

Exception to the rule are as follows:

• Children 6 or younger
• People with certain medical conditions or disabilities
• Eating and drinking,
• Medical and dental procedures
• Exercise
• Communicating with an audience
• Certain essential job functions.
• Voting and religious worship

Dr. Don Williamson, head of the Alabama Hospitals Association, said in a news conference Tuesday with Sen. Doug Jones that he is concerned about the possibility of overloading the state's hospitals as flu season approaches, and urged Ivey to issue a statewide mask mandate.

"It's incumbent upon us do to the things necessary to limit spread to avoid a disastrous situation this fall," Williamson said. "This is one of those rare diseases where we control our future."

"Governor Ivey did the right thing today by enacting a statewide mask policy," Jones said in a statement Wednesday. "Unlike her counterparts in other Deep South states, Governor Ivey is clearly following the advice of health care professionals. Many Alabama communities in COVID-19 hot spots have already taken this step, which will help limit the spread of this virus and reduce the strain on our struggling hospitals and health care workers, and it just makes sense to do it on a statewide basis."

Jones, a member of the Senate Health Committee, added, "We all want to move past this deadly, disruptive pandemic. By taking the simple steps of wearing a mask and social distancing, we can each do our part to protect lives and livelihoods."

The order can be viewed here.

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