Coronavirus USA: Alabama masks orders and exceptions

A model created by the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) has projected that the US death toll from Covid-19 would pass 224,000 by 1 November 2020, which is up 16,000 from a previous forecast. It also said, however, that number could be reduced by 40,000 if the vast majority of Americans wore face masks in public. More than 20 states currently have mask-wearing requirements in place.

President Donald Trump, whose popularity in opinion polls is declining ahead of an election in November, has been reluctant to embrace mask-wearing, and most of his Republican governors and local officials have followed suit. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, for example, only goes as far as encouraging Oklahomans to wear face masks but he rarely wears one in public himself and has not issued a statewide mask mandate. Stitt, who was at a rally held by Trump in Tulsa on 20 June, has confirmed that he tested positive for Covid-19.

Alabama governor introduces mask order

Across in Alabama, with infections surging for the second day in a row, Republican Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday reversed her position and ordered all residents to wear masks, effective from Thursday.

"I always prefer a personal responsibility over a government mandate," Ivey said at a briefing. "And yet I also know with all my heart that the numbers and the data over the past few weeks are definitely trending in the wrong direction."

“Despite all our best efforts, we’re seeing increases in cases every day still occurring and we’re almost to the point where hospital ICUs are overwhelmed,” Ivey said during a press conference.

Although the order does come with a fine of $500 and possibly time in jail, the governor has said it is going to be a challenge to enforce it.

“I still believe this is going to be a difficult order to enforce, and I always prefer personal responsibility over a government mandate, and yet I also know with all my heart that the numbers and the data over past few weeks are definitely trending in the wrong direction,” she said before adding, “This mask order is hard to enforce, so once again I’m calling on everyone in our state to practice personal responsibility and wear a mask.”

When is the Alabama mask order in force?

From the time of the order being announced on Thursday, people of Alabama will be required to wear a mask until 31 July. The guidelines state that individuals must wear face coverings when in public and in close contact with others. This includes indoor public areas as well as there being a limit of 10 gathering outside.

Are there any exceptions to wearing a mask?

Yes! There are a number of exceptions and these include:

- children up to six years old

- those people with a medical condition

- when eating or drinking

- when confirming your identity

- if having some medical, dental or other service that needs access to the face

There are a number of other exceptions related to exercising and communication.

Ivey did not go so far as to start closing some of the establishments that have reopened sine the earlier lockdown, including bars, restaurants, gyms, casinos, beaches and retail stores, although she did not rule it out.

“Clearly there are some other more restrictive actions we could take such as closing things back down but I don’t want to go there unless there are absolutely no other options available,” she stated.