Alabama To Begin 'Safer Apart' Order Friday

MONTGOMERY, AL — Gov. Kay Ivey Wednesday announced the state will move from its current "Safer at Home" order to the new "Safer Apart" order beginning Friday at 5 p.m. This means, among other precautions, the wearing of masks is encouraged but not mandatory.

The new health order, which extends until 5 p.m. May 5, recommends people wear masks, maintain six feet distance from people who are from other households and frequently sanitize.

Recommendations for individuals included in the "Safer Apart" health order:

• Maintaining six feet of separation from persons of different households
• Wearing a mask or other facial covering at all times when within six feet of a person
• from another household
• Staying home if sick
• Washing hands frequently with soap and water or hand sanitizer, especially after
• touching frequently used items or surfaces
• Refraining from touching one’s face
• Sneezing or coughing into a tissue, or the inside of one’s elbow
• Disinfecting frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible

"Folks, we’re 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 voluntarily getting a vaccine," Ivey said.

Individual municipalities and business can adopt their own safety measures and requirements, even as the statewide mask mandate expires, Ivey said, adding that she has no jurisdiction over cities such as Birmingham and Montgomery that have extended their mask mandates.

"Every business has the right to set their own requirements," Ivey said in her news conference Wednesday.

The City of Birmingham Tuesday voted to extend the city's mask order through May 24, while Montgomery extended its mask order into the first week of May.

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Birmingham City Council Extends Citywide Mask Order

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