FROM ELMORE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Gov. Ivey held a press conference this morning where she announced she would be extending the mask ordinance and other COVID-19 restrictions until January 22, 2021, at 5:00 pm.
The governor also reiterated her opposition to another shutdown and provided new information on the status of the COVID vaccine.
The initial vaccines are expected to be approved in December. Alabama will initially receive enough to vaccinate approximately 40,000 people, with the first round going to front-line healthcare workers and residents of long-term care facilities such as nursing homes. The second round will be given to first responders and vulnerable segments of the population, such as the elderly and those with underlying health concerns.
The vaccine should be available to the general public sometime in the summer of 2021 and will be free for all Americans. For additional information on the COVID vaccine in Alabama, click here.
The governor’s extended executive order continues the statewide mask requirement, as well as the sanitation, occupancy and social distancing requirements. The governor also encouraged Alabamians to avoid travel and family gatherings during the holidays in order to prevent further spread of the virus.
