Alabama is lifting its mask mandate on Friday as Governor Ivey encouraged residents to still voluntarily wear them

• Alabama Governor Kay Ivey says the state's mask mandate will end on Friday.
• She said people should still wear masks to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
• She called the new phase "Safer Apart," and said it would include "slimmed down" restrictions.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has confirmed that the state's mask mandate would end on Friday.

She announced the end of the mask mandate during a press conference about the state's handling of COVID-19 alongside State Health Officer Scott Harris on Wednesday.

Ivey, a Republican, said that while there will be no government mandate for masks, she will still wear one around other people and encourage others to do the same to help prevent the spread of the virus.

She called the new phase "Safer Apart," adding that it will include "greatly slimmed down" restrictions.

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