Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey is extending the state’s mask mandate through April 9 as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations fall in the state.

Ivey said she will not extend the mandate beyond April 9, hopeful that vaccinations and herd immunity combined with personal responsibility and “the golden rule” will continue to curtail the spread of the disease after that.

Some had expected Ivey to follow other states such as Texas and Mississippi in ending the mask mandate when the current “Safer at Home” order expires March 5.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has extended the state’s mask mandate beyond Easter with no plans to extend it again. (Hal Yeager/Governor’s Office)

Ivey was joined by State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris at a press briefing this morning and highlighted the recent improvements Alabama has made against COVID-19.

“As of Tuesday, Alabama’s seven-day average for new COVID-19 cases was 778 per day. Y’all, that’s an 82% drop from the high reached on January 10^th and the lowest average for daily new cases since late June,” Ivey said. “Also, the seven-day average number of COVID-19 patients in Alabama hospitals was 686, a 77% drop from the high reached on January 11^th and the lowest average number of COVID patients in Alabama hospitals since June 29 of last year.”

But those improvements were not enough for an immediate end to the mandate, the governor said.

“Even with this positive news, however, Dr. Harris and I are both convinced that we need to get past Easter and hopefully allow Alabamians to get their first shot before we take a step some other states have taken to remove the mask order altogether and lift other restrictions,” she said. “Folks, we’re not there yet, but goodness knows we’re getting closer.”

Gov. Kay Ivey extends Alabama’s mask mandate to April 9 from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.

Ivey did ease some current restrictions in the extended order, to include:

• Outdoor programs will be allowed at senior centers with new safety guidelines.
• Summer camps will be able to resume operations this year and can begin taking reservations March 5.
• There will no longer be limits on the number of patrons at tables at restaurants, though a six-foot distance between tables remains in effect.
• Caregiver visitors to hospitals and nursing homes increases from one to two. (Although some nursing homes may have tighter federal restrictions due to outbreaks or infections.)

Ivey said businesses who want to continue to have mask requirements or tighter restrictions can do so and will have five weeks to prepare for the end to the government requirement.

“While I’m convinced that a mask mandate has been the right thing to do, I also respect those who object and believe this was a step too far in government overreach,” Ivey said.

Harris said more than 1 million vaccines have been administered in the state. He said another 600,000 to 700,000 vaccinations, combined with the 500,000 known cases in the state and many others not known, should give the state a high degree of herd immunity and make it difficult for the virus to spread.

While there is an end in sight, Harris couldn’t help but acknowledge the toll COVID-19 has already taken.

Alabama State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris and Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey extended the state’s mask mandate to April 9. (Hal Yeager/Governor’s Office)

“We do have reason for some optimism, although I do want to start on a little more somber note,” he said. “I think you’re aware that this week Alabama passed the milestone of 10,000 deaths since this response has begun. We have lost more than 10,000 of our friends and family and church members and work colleagues.”

By comparison, Harris said, Alabama has averaged between 51,000 and 52,000 deaths per year over the past five years. In 2020, there were around 64,400 deaths in the state. That’s not including January of this year, when COVID-19 daily death tolls peaked.

Harris said getting vaccinations administered is the goal. There are 1,200 providers in the program but not all have been able to get the vaccine. Next week, Alabama will, for the first time, get more than 100,000 doses of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, which are administered in two doses. Another 40,000 doses of the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine are arriving this week.

Harris said the state is using the same Social Vulnerability Index that other states use to determine how to allocate the vaccines equitably to African American and other communities with limited access.

In addition, Harris said Walmart has 123 stores and CVS has 66 locations ready to distribute the federal allocation of vaccines in the state.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has extended the state’s mask mandate beyond Easter with no plans to extend it again. (Hal Yeager/Governor’s Office)

Ivey said she will continue to wear a mask when she’s around others after April 9 because “it’s the right thing to do.”

“April 9th is going to be the last day I’m going to have a mask mandate. After that it will be personal responsibility,” she said. “Alabamians are smart, they’ve got good common sense, they know what works. I’m going to continue to wear my mask when I’m around folks, but after the 9th, we’re not having a mask mandate.”

She thanked Alabamians for helping in the fight against COVID-19 but asked that they continue to care for their neighbors.

“One big way that you can help – and everyone can do this – is to remember the inspiration of the golden rule,” she said. “Look out for your friends and neighbors. If you’ve had your vaccine, think about an elderly friend or relative who might not be as savvy as you are and give them a call to see if you can assist in getting them registered to get their shot. Or if you’ve got a car and they don’t, think about giving them a lift to one of the distribution sites in the area.”