Even when Governor Kay Ivey dismisses a state health order requiring masks to be worn in public places in Alabama, major national retail chains are likely to keep their mask orders in place and federal orders will be applied to airports, public transportation and buildings federal.
In other words, keep a face mask handy if you plan on going out in public, even after April 9th.
Ivey’s office released a statement on Wednesday that the governor “prefers personal responsibility to government mandates.”
On Thursday, she announced that Alabama would extend its state mask mandate until April 9 and then withdraw.
Without a state mask mandate, small businesses would have greater freedom to allow customers to remain unmasked.
But national retail chains operate in many states where masks are still needed and are likely to maintain their national policies until there is more consensus between federal and state agencies.
Federal buildings will remain under masked orders.
Major retail chains that have mask orders include Walmart, Sam’s Club, Amazon, Whole Foods, Kroger, Costco, Walgreens, Home Depot, CVS, Target, Lowe’s, Apple Store, McDonald’s, Best Buy, Publix, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, Aldi, Dollar General, Macy’s Dollar Tree, Verizon, Kohl’s, Starbucks, Ross, AT&T, Rite Aid, Nordstrom, Gap, PetSmart and Bed, Bath and Beyond.
President Joe Biden signed an executive order demanding the use of masks at airports, commercial aircraft and other forms of public transport. Federal agencies and airports require the use of a mask over the nose and mouth at all times. Failure to do so may result in penalties under federal law, including removal and refusal to re-enter.
On January 29, the Centers for Disease Control issued an order demanding the use of masks by travelers and public transport operators, including planes, subways, buses and hitchhikers.
“Transport operators must also require that everyone on board wear masks when embarking, disembarking and during the journey,” said the CDC. “Transport center operators must require that everyone wear a mask when entering or on the premises of a transport center.”
Federal mask policies for all US airports will remain in effect at Alabama airports as part of the executive order signed by Biden in January. Airport travelers are required to wear a mask at TSA airport screening checkpoints and on all public and commercial transport systems. Unmasked passengers may be denied entry, boarding or transportation. Failure to comply with the mask requirement can result in civil penalties.
Most organizations are taking a wait and see approach.
“I’m sure the university leadership will consult with our health care personnel before deciding,” said Lance Crawford, a spokesman for the University of South Alabama at Mobile.
At the University of Alabama at Birmingham, masks are needed in the near future. The university will make an announcement if that changes, said Alicia Rohan, a spokeswoman for the UAB.
“Masks are mandatory on and off campus,” she said.