Ala. Gov. Ivey fails to lift restrictions, extends mask mandate
(Photo by SETH HERALD/AFP via Getty Images)
OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 1:15 PM PT – Thursday, March 4, 2021
The state of Alabama failed to rescind harmful COVID restrictions as Governor Kay Ivey (R) moved to extend her mask mandate for another month.
“We need to get past Easter and allow more residents to get their first vaccine shot,” Ivey said. “Before we take a step that some other states have taken to remove the mask order altogether and lift the restrictions.”
Kellyanne Conway, left, poses for photos with Alabama Lieutenant Governor Kay Ivey during a thank you rally in Ladd-Peebles Stadium on December 17, 2016. (Photo by Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images)
Ivey was widely expected to fully reopen her state after Texas and Mississippi revoked mask mandates and lockdowns earlier this week. However, the Alabama governor appears to have caved to Joe Biden’s pressure to keep the lockdown in place.
Even with this positive news, Dr. Harris & I believe more Alabamians need to get their 1st shot before we take a step some other states have taken to remove the mask order altogether & lift all restrictions. Folks, we’re not there yet, but we're getting close. #alpolitics 2/8
— Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) March 4, 2021
“Even when we lift the mask order, I will continue to wear my mask while I’m around others and strongly urge my fellow citizens to use common sense and do the same thing,” Ivey said. “But at that time, it will become a matter of personal responsibility and not a government mandate.”
Other Republican states signaled they will follow Texas’ lead and lift the remaining restrictions in the coming weeks.