Birmingham Extends Mandatory Mask Ordinance To June 12

BIRMINGHAM, AL — A unanimous vote of the Birmingham City Council means the city's mandatory mask ordinance, which was set to expire later today, will remain in effect through June 12.

This is the third time the City Council has approved to extend the mask ordinance, which was first approved April 28. However, the latest extension was passed with notably softened penalties: Instead of up to a $500 fine and a 30-day stay in city jail, violators now face a system of escalating fines that start at $25 for the first offense.

During her remarks before the vote, District 6 Crystal Smitherman noted that while she supported the mask ordinance, she'd had "an issue" with its provisions for potential jail time.

"So we took that out," she said. (According to a report by WBRC, the Birmingham Police Department has yet to arrest or fine a single person for violating the mask ordinance.)

Earlier this week, Mayor Randall Woodfin told the council that he would allow the ordnance to expire, but, during Friday's meetings, several council members cited the persistent danger of the coronavirus spreading as the state reopens. On Thursday, state health director Dr. Scott Harris said he was concerned about an apparent spike in infections, as Alabama recorded 535 new coronavirus cases in just 24 hours.