Alabama Governor Kay Ivey issues order with statewide mask mandate beginning at 5 p.m. Thursday

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WXXV) — Alabama Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday issued an emergency proclamation containing an amended Safer at Home Order that includes a statewide mask requirement.

Individuals will be required to wear a mask or other facial covering when in public and in close contact with other people.

The new order begins Thursday, July 16 at 5 p.m. and continues through July 31.

Gov. Ivey said in a post to Twitter on Wednesday morning, “Today, with the support of Dr. Harris, the medical community and many in the business community, I’m announcing a statewide mask order effective Thursday, July 16 to be in place until the end of the month.

“However, as I have stated – this mask order is hard to enforce – so once again, I am calling on everyone in our state to practice personal responsibility and wear a mask. I continue to believe that personal responsibility is everyone’s responsibility.”