Birmingham's Mask Mandate: What Comes Next

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Now that more people in the country have received the COVID-19 vaccine (119 million as of Thursday), the Centers for Disease Control announced Thursday that face coverings were no longer necessary for those who are vaccinated. This prompted eight states to lift mask mandates, but individual cities can impose their own mandates, as Birmingham did in April.

The announcement from the CDC said, "Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance."

Alabama's statewide mask order expired April 23, and Gov. Kay Ivey allowed individual municipalities, schools, venues and businesses to decide for themselves their stance on masks. Most businesses and all schools in the state have maintained their mask orders even after the statewide order expired.

Birmingham's mask order is set to expire May 24, which has the city's residents wondering how much longer the city will require face coverings within its limits.

City Councilor Hunter Williams told Patch he believes the City Council will address the issue at Tuesday's meeting, but added that the CDC announcement may not have much influence on the council's vote.

"I think it is clear The CDC guidance just confirms what most Birmingham residents and Alabamians have been doing which is using common sense in conjunction with getting the vaccine," Williams said. "It is more clear now than ever the importance of getting vaccinated."

Currently, 1.3 million Alabamians (26 percent of those eligible) have been fully vaccinated, and Jefferson County is above the state average in vaccinations, with 32 percent of the county fully vaccinated.

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