BREAKING: Statewide mandatory mask order goes into effect Thursday in AL due to the growing number of COVID19 cases and hospitalizations across the state. “Folks the numbers do no lie”, -Ivey. Gov still believes this will be difficult to enforce @wsfa12news

Gov Ivey says she doesn’t want to close things back down unless absolutely necessary. Wants to preserve livelihood of small business owners and workers. Calls on everyone to wear masks to slow the spread @wsfa12news

Ivey says she’s not asking sheriffs and law enforcement officers to go out “looking” for people who aren’t wearing masks and arrest them @wsfa12news

Dr. Scott Harris, Public Health Officer: Set a new record high in cases and 40-45 new deaths added today. A full 1/3 of cases have been added in the last 2 weeks, it’s not a reflection of increased testing. 16-17% of all tests this week are expected to be positive @wsfa12news

About 30 hospitals have limited or no ICU capacity at all at this time. AL is not headed in right direction, mask order is the right thing to do. “We don’t have a lot of options at this time” -Harris @wsfa12news

The order expires at the end of July, it’s unclear whether it will be extended and if it will impact the start of the school year. Dr. Birx with the COVID-19 task force will visit with the Governor this afternoon due to AL being a virus hot spot @wsfa12news

The penalty for not wearing a mask is $500 and/or jail time but the Gov says that is not the goal @wsfa12news