Governor Ivey Issues Statewide Mandatory “Mask Wearing” Order Through End of Month

During an 11:00am News Conference held Wednesday (July 15th), Alabama Governor Kay Ivey issued a statewide mask-wearing order and wasted no time whatsoever as she immediately launched into what prompted her decision to do so:

And that, led into the official announcement:

The order states a face covering must be worn in public when in close contact with others – specifically stipulating Alabamians must wear a mask when within six feet of a person from another household; in an indoor space open to the public; when in any vehicle operated by a transportation service such as Uber; or an outdoor public space, where 10 or more people are gathered.

The order supersedes any local regulations.  Ivey cautioned however, she thought enforcing the mandate would be a “difficult order.”  Then added she “…has always preferred personal responsibility over a government mandate,”

That order carries a penalty of $500 or jail time, but the governor said that the focus will be on education as opposed to punishment.

There are exceptions to the order – with the largest category for exceptions being “practical necessity” reasons, such as when children are six or younger; people with certain medical conditions or disabilities; eating and drinking; and medical and dental procedures.

There are also categories for exceptions for exercise, communicating with an audience and certain necessary job functions.  Another category for exceptions includes activities such as voting or religious worship, though wearing a face mask for those is “strongly encouraged,”

That order does NOT stipulate what kind of face covering is required – as long as it covers the nostrils and mouth.  It DOES require businesses to take “reasonable steps” to encourage mask use by employees and customers.

  1. When do I have to wear a mask?

You have to wear a mask when you are in public and in close contact with other people. Specifically, the order says to wear a mask when you are within six feet of a person from another household in any of the following places: (a) an indoor space open to the public; (b) a vehicle operated by a transportation service; and (c) an outdoor public space where ten or more people are gathered.

  1. Do young children have to wear a mask?

What about people who are exercising? In other words, are there any exceptions to the mask-wearing requirement? There are five categories of exceptions. The largest category, exceptions for “practical necessity,” covers people or situations where mask use is incompatible with the realities of life—for example, children six or younger, people with certain medical conditions or disabilities, eating and drinking, medical and dental procedures, and so on. There are also categories of exceptions for exercise, for communicating with an audience, and for certain essential job functions. An additional category carves out narrow exceptions for protected activities like voting and religious worship— but even then, wearing a mask is strongly encouraged.

  1. What kind of face mask is required?

The requirement allows all kinds of masks to be used—whether store-bought, homemade, or improvised from household items like scarves, bandanas, or t-shirts. The key is for the mask to cover your nostrils and mouth. For instructions on how to make your own mask, see the CDC’s “How to Make Cloth Face Coverings,” available at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/ prevent-getting-sick/how-to-make-cloth-face-covering.html.

  1. I live in a city or county that already has a local mask order. Am I supposed to follow my local order or this new statewide order?

Follow this new statewide order. While this order is in effect, it will replace all local mask rules to provide a uniform, statewide rule.

  1. I am a business owner. What does this order mean for my business?

The order requires businesses to take reasonable steps, where practicable, to encourage mask use by employees and customers. One example of a reasonable step might be to post signs encouraging customers and patrons to wear a mask. Although a business is not required to deny entry to people who are mask-less, they always retain the right to do so—and doing so would certainly be a reasonable step to encourage mask use.

  1. How long will the new mask requirement be in effect?

The new mask requirement goes into effect Thursday, July 16, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. It is currently set to expire on July 31, 2020.

(AL.COM/www.al.com)

 

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