Gov. Kay Ivey Announces ‘Safer Apart’ Order As Mask Mandate Ends
Gov. Kay Ivey provides further updates on the state's response to COVID-19.
Alabama is set to transition to a “Safer Apart” order until 5 p.m. on May 5, replacing the statewide mask order that’s been in place since last July.
“We are still under a public health order, but it is greatly slimmed down due to everyone doing their part to practice social distancing, wearing a mask and getting a vaccine,” Ivey said at a press conference Wednesday.
Ivey’s “Safer Apart” order is the third phase of Alabama’s COVID-19 pandemic health order.
The announcement comes days before the statewide mask mandate comes to an end this Friday. Last month, Ivey announced she would not renew the mask order. However, both Gov. Ivey and State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris urged residents to continue wearing masks and social distancing once the mandate expires.
“After Friday, when there’s no more government mandate, I will continue to wear my mask,” Ivey said. “And I strongly urge my fellow citizens to use common sense and also practical personal responsibility.”
As I’ve previously stated, Alabama’s mask order will expire at 5 p.m. on April 9. Today, I’m announcing our state will…
Posted by Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday, April 7, 2021
This week, the Birmingham City Council voted 8-1 to extend a citywide mask ordinance through most of May. Montgomery also has a mask mandate in place.
Ivey said she has no jurisdiction over cities and commended businesses that require face masks for entry.
“I applaud the initiative of local people wanting to continue to encourage the mask,” she said. “I’m certainly going to continue to encourage people to wear the mask whenever I’m out in a crowd.”
As of Monday, the seven-day average for newly reported COVID-19 cases was 328 per day, a 92% drop from the high reached in January 2021 and the lowest average since Spring 2020.
Harris said residents should not let their guard down.
“We’re so close to getting to the end of this. We still have a little ways to go and we appreciate all the hard work that’s gone on so far,” he said. “And we know that working together, we’re going to get there soon.”
Alabama prison chief responds to families’ criticism
The department said that a number of changes have been made since Corrections Commissioner John Q. Hamm was appointed in 2022. The department said hiring has increased, and there are ongoing efforts to curb the flow of contraband and improve communications with families.
40 years after ‘Purple Rain,’ Prince’s band remembers how the movie came together
Before social media, the film Purple Rain gave audiences a peak into Prince’s musical life. Band members say the true genesis of the title song was much less combative than the version presented in the film.
Park Fire in California could continue growing exponentially, Cal Fire officer says
Cal Fire has confirmed that over a hundred structures have been damaged in the Park Fire, which grew overnight near Chico, Calif. Difficult firefighting conditions are forecast through Friday night.
Checking in with Black voters in Georgia about the election, now that Biden is out
Some voters who could be key to deciding who wins Georgia. What do they think about Vice President Harris becoming the frontrunner in the race to be the Democratic nominee?
Tahiti’s waves are a matter of ‘life and death’ for surfing Olympics
Tahiti's Teahupo'o wave has a slew of riders for the Paris 2024 Olympics. NPR finds out why it's called one of the most dangerous waves.
Researchers are revising botanical names to address troubling connotations
Since the mid-1700s, researchers have classified life with scientific names. But some of them have problematic histories and connotations. The botanical community is trying to tackle this issue.
