By Sarah Deakins
Staff Writer

Governor Kay Ivey recently decided that the mask mandate in Alabama will be officially lifted on April 9. This means that while citizens are still encouraged to wear mask in the state of Alabama, they no longer have to. 

“After April 9, masks will no longer be a mandate, but they remain on of the most successful tools we have to keep folks safe from COVID-19,” Ivey said. 

However, President Joe Biden urged states to keep the mask mandate in place. The president said it would be a “big mistake” for states like Alabama to lift the mask mandate because of the chance of a fourth surge of COVID-19. Southern states, including Alabama, have some of the nation’s lowest vaccination rates. 

But Ivey stands by her choice and still plans to lift the mask mandate. 

In a statement by Ivey’s spokeswomen, Gina Maiola, the governor’s office stated that “We have made progress, and are moving towards personal responsibility and common sense, not endless government mandates.” 

While many people are excited for the mandate to be lifted, others are apprehensive. 

“I guess that I am pretty excited to not have to wear a mask anymore, (though) it does make me a little nervous,” said University of Alabama student Breanna Morgan. “I’ve gotten so used to wearing one that I don’t find them uncomfortable anymore and I honestly really do feel safer having one on in public. It will be nice to have an option about wearing it, though.” 

However, many stores and schools are planning to follow the guidelines given by the CDC rather than the governor’s mask madate. The University of Alabama is not yet sure what they plan to do with masks even though they plan on going back to regular campus operations next semester.