Alabama's governor extends mask order until April 9, eases some restrictions

This comes days after Texas and Mississippi announced the end of mask mandates.

Health care worker Tonya Wilkes adjusts her mask while working at a Lowndes County coronavirus testing site in Hayneville, Ala., May 27, 2020.

Alabama's governor said Thursday she is extending the state's mask mandate until April 9.

"After April the 9th I will not keep the mask order in effect," Gov. Kay Ivey said at a news conference.

"We've kept the mask mandate in place for more than a generous period of time because it's helped," she said. "We've seen dramatic results and real progress being made."

This week the state reached its lowest average for daily new coronavirus cases and hospitalizations since June, she said.

"Even with this positive news . we need to get past Easter and hopefully allow more Alabamians to get their first shot" of the vaccine before removing the mask order, Ivey said.

"If businesses believe wearing masks are important to keeping their doors open & their employees and customers safe -- and many do -- then they’ll have five weeks from today to get ready to impose their own policies," Ivey tweeted.

Ivey also announced the easing of several restrictions: seating limits at restaurants will be loosened; outdoor programs will be allowed at senior centers with safety guidelines; two visitors, instead of one, will be allowed at hospitals and nursing homes; and summer camps can resume.