Alabama COVID-19 Updates

Governor Kay Ivey announced that Alabama’s COVID-19 public health order will end Monday, May 31, 2021, and the state of emergency will end Tuesday, July 6, 2021.

The current Safer Apart order consists primarily of recommendations aligned with CDC guidance. However, specific guidance applies to two groups. Senior Citizen Centers must continue to follow guidelines issued by the Alabama Department of Senior Services. Hospitals and nursing homes must follow current guidance from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services with respect to visitation. Barring a great spike in COVID-19 cases, these last remaining requirements should be lifted with the expiration of this order on May 31.

As of April 5, all Alabamians ages 16 and older have been eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. Governor Ivey continues to encourage Alabamians to get the safe and effective vaccine.

Safer Apart Order (PDF) – Spanish Version (DOCX)

27^th Supplemental Emergency Proclamation (PDF)

Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday issued her twenty-sixth supplemental emergency proclamation transitioning the state from an amended Safer at Home Order to a new Safer Apart Order, the third phase of COVID-19 pandemic health orders. Masks will no longer be mandated statewide, but individuals are strongly encouraged to wear a mask or other facial covering when in public and in close contact with other people. This order goes into effect at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 9, 2021 and extends until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 5, 2021.

Safer Apart Order (PDF) – Spanish Version (DOCX)

Safer Apart Stoplight (PDF)

Twenty-sixth Supplemental Emergency Proclamation (PDF)

Mask Signage Options:

• Mask Preferred (PDF)
• Mask Required for Service (PDF)
• Please Wear A Mask (PDF)
• Thank You for Wearing A Mask (PDF)
• Thank You Gradient (PDF)

Governor Kay Ivey during a visit to the Alabama National Guard mobile vaccination clinic in Wilcox County Friday announced that beginning, April 5, the Alabama Department of Public Health will extend eligibility for COVID-19 vaccinations to include individuals age 16 and older. Thanks to Governor Ivey’s announcement, all Alabamians that the vaccine brands are available to can now receive the shot.

The Pfizer vaccine is available to individuals age 16 and up, and the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are both available to individuals 18 years of age and older.

With this expansion, there will be close to 4 million eligible individuals in the state of Alabama. Currently, the state receives approximately 115,000 first doses each week.

As of April 1, 1,724,463 doses have been administered.

For general information about COVID 19, the COVID-19 Information Hotline number is 1-800-270-7268. Alabama vaccine providers can be found within the Alabama COVID-19 Dashboard Hub.

Governor Kay Ivey revealed signage for business owners to encourage employees and patrons to wear a mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The current health order mandating statewide mask wearing will end at 5 p.m. on April 9, 2021.

Mask Signage Options:

Mask Preferred (PDF)

Mask Required for Service (PDF)

Please Wear A Mask (PDF)

Thank You for Wearing A Mask (PDF)

Thank You Gradient (PDF)

Governor Kay Ivey announced the locations for the Alabama National Guard’s mobile vaccination clinics across 24 rural counties. As part of Governor Ivey’s activation of the ALNG to support the state’s COVID-19 response, beginning March 23, the mobile vaccination teams will rotate through the designated counties.

The ALNG is capable of fielding two mobile vaccination teams with a capacity of at least 1,000 vaccinations per site, per day (Tuesday – Friday), for a total of 8,000 doses each week. The Alabama Department of Public Health, local emergency management officials and law enforcement will also provide support.

Rural Mobile Vaccination Clinics: Week One

*Due to the nature of the mission, there will likely be adjustments made. Should any locations change, the ADPH and partnering agencies will provide any updates.

 March 23: Covington & Sumter Counties

• Kiwanis Building: 2085 Kiwanis Drive, Andalusia, AL 36420 (Covington)

• UWA Football Parking Lot (Sumter)

March 24: Coffee & Greene Counties 

• Enterprise Civic Center: 2401 Neil Metcalf Road, Enterprise, AL 36330 (Coffee)

• Abandoned Airport: 435 Airport Road, Eutaw, AL 35462 (Greene)

March 25: Dale & Hale Counties 

• Ozark Civic Center: 320 East College Street, Ozark, AL 36360 (Dale)

• Moundville Ball Park: Industrial Drive, Moundville, AL (Hale)

March 26: Henry & Perry Counties

• Calvary Baptist Church: 310 Dothan Road, Abbeville, AL 36310 (Henry)

• Marion Military Institute (Perry) 

Rural Mobile Vaccination Clinics: Week Two

March 30: Dallas & Lowndes Counties 

• Bloch Park: 108 Dallas Avenue, Selma, AL 36701 (Dallas)

• Old National Guard Armory: 5 Gilmer Hills Road, Fort Deposit, AL 36032 (Lowndes) 

March 31: Bullock & Choctaw Counties 

• Union Springs Elementary School: 211 Conecuh Avenue West, Union Springs, AL 36089 (Bullock)

• Heritage Church of God: 161 Main Street, Gilbertown, AL 36908 (Choctaw)

April 1: Macon & Marengo Counties 

• ALNG Armory: 1101 Chappie James Avenue, Tuskegee, AL 36083 (Macon)

• Old ALNG Armory Maintenance Shop: 2420 Alabama Highway 28 East, Linden, AL 36748 (Marengo)

April 2: Russell & Wilcox Counties 

• Chattahoochee Valley CC: 2602 College Drive, Phenix City, AL 36869 (Russell)

• Wilcox Central High School: 1310 T.L. Threadgill Road, Camden, AL 36726 (Wilcox)

Rural Mobile Vaccination Clinics: Week Three

April 6: Butler & Conecuh Counties

• Southside Baptist Church: 211 King Street, Greenville, AL 36037 (Butler)

• Liberty Hills Shopping Center: 78 Liberty Hill Place, Evergreen, AL 36401 (Conecuh)

April 7: Crenshaw & Monroe Counties 

• Tom Harbin Farm Center: 816 Airport Road, Luverne, AL 36049 (Crenshaw)

• Monroe County High School: 212 Tiger Drive, Monroeville, AL 36460 (Monroe)

April 8: Clarke & Pike Counties

• SP Hudson Park: 115 Park Street, Grove Hill, AL 36451 (Clarke)

• Sportsplex: 701 Enzor Road, Troy, AL 36079 (Pike)

April 9: Barbour & Washington Counties

• Baker Hill School: 24 School House Road, Eufaula, AL 36027 (Barbour)

• 111 River Road (Just off Hwy. 43), McIntosh, AL 36553 (Washington)

All rural mobile vaccination clinics will operate 9:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. These clinics will be open for all eligible Alabamians, free of charge.

While these distribution efforts are ongoing, the ADPH will provide all of the up-to-date details, including the specific clinic sites and other logistic information on their website. In the instance of severe weather and other similar circumstances, ADPH and partnering agencies will provide any and all updates.

At this time, appointments are not required. Individuals are asked to wear a mask. 

Governor Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) announced that starting March 22, ADPH will extend eligibility for COVID-19 vaccinations to include people age 55 and older, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the population defined as Allocation Phase 1c in the Alabama Vaccine Allocation Plan, www.alabamapublichealth.gov/covid19vaccine/assets/adph-covid19-vaccination-allocation-plan.pdf (PDF).

In addition to those age 55 and older and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, groups to be included for extended eligibility are people age 16 to 64 with high-risk medical conditions which include but are not limited to the following conditions:

• Cancer
• Chronic kidney disease
• COPD
• Heart conditions such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathies; immunocompromised state
• Solid organ transplant
• Obesity, BMI greater than 30
• Pregnancy
• Sickle cell disease
• Smoking
• Type 1 and 2 diabetes
• Other medical conditions as determined by your medical provider

Also, critical workers in the following areas who were not recommended for vaccination in Phase 1b will be eligible:

• Transportation and logistics
• Waste and wastewater
• Food service (includes restaurant staff)
• Shelter and housing (construction)
• Finance (bank tellers)
• Information technology and communication
• Energy
• Legal
• Media
• Public safety (engineers)

The additional priority groups will add over 2 million people who are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination in Alabama. While around two-thirds of Alabama residents will qualify to receive the vaccine, the state receives between 110,000 and 120,000 first doses each week.

During the week of March 29 through April 2, additional vaccination clinics will be planned for around the state.

As of March 11, 556,603 doses of the Pfizer vaccine, 611,566 doses of the Moderna vaccine and 8,745 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine had been administered in the state. A total of 1,731,965 vaccines have been delivered to Alabama.

“Alabama is expanding its guidance to accelerate access to the safe and effective vaccines now available in our state,” State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris said. “While authorized vaccines roll out and more people are vaccinated, everyone needs to continue to wear masks and maintain social distancing to protect their loved ones and the many vulnerable people in the state.”

For general information about COVID-19, the COVID-19 Information Hotline number is 1-800-270-7268. Alabama vaccine providers can be found within the Alabama COVID-19 Dashboard Hub at arcg.is/0brSGj.

As the supply of COVID-19 vaccine is limited at the moment, ADPH is following the guidance of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for prioritization of risk groups.

Number of phases: 4 (1a, 1b, 1c, 2)

The phase that includes essential workers: Phase 1c

Additional resources:

• https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/covid19/vaccine.html

Governor Kay Ivey issued her twenty-third supplemental emergency proclamation extending the Safer at Home Order that includes a statewide mask requirement. Individuals will be required to wear a mask or other facial covering when in public and in close contact with other people, as described in the order. This order extends until Friday, April 9, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.

Extended Safer at Home Order (PDF) – (Spanish version (PDF))

Safer at Home Info Sheet 1 (PDF)

Safer at Home Info Sheet 2 (PDF)

Safer at Home Info Sheet 3 (PDF)

Twenty-third Supplemental Emergency Proclamation (PDF)

 Alabama Department of Senior Services Guidelines 

Unemployment Rules

• Temporarily ordered that relief be offered to employers whose employees must file unemployment compensation claims for weeks filed due to COVID-19 related issues. All charges will be waived against those employers who file partial unemployment compensation claims on behalf of their employees.
• Apply here:  https://labor.alabama.gov/uc/ICCS/

Sick Leave Rules

• Law does not require employers to provide employees with sick leave benefits, either paid or unpaid.

Governor Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) starting February 8, ADPH will extend eligibility for COVID-19 vaccinations to include people 65 or older, and additional groups of frontline workers. The Vaccine Allocation Plan is available at here (PDF).

Frontline critical workers listed in the plan are as follows:

• First responders
• Corrections officers
• Food and agriculture workers
• U.S. Postal Service workers
• Manufacturing workers
• Grocery store workers
• Public transit workers
• People who work in the education sector (teachers, support staff, community college and higher education)
  Childcare workers
• Judiciary (including but not limited to) circuit judges, district judges and district attorneys

The additional priority groups will add over 1 million people that are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination in Alabama. While just under 2 million people will qualify to receive the vaccine, the state continues to only receive around 100,000 doses each week.

As of today, 148,549 doses of the Pfizer vaccine and 175,326 doses of the Moderna vaccine have been given out to first responders, residents and staff of Alabama’s nursing homes and individuals 75 and older.  A total of 772,275 vaccines have been delivered to Alabama, meaning that 42 percent of what has already been delivered to the state have been administered.

Covered in this expanded group are people at high risk for work-related exposure and persons in identified age groups at risk for COVID-19 associated morbidity and mortality. These include people working or living in congregate settings including but not limited to homeless shelters and group homes.

As a courtesy to others, healthier people age 65 and older and workers who fall in these groups are encouraged to consider delaying their vaccination so that more vulnerable people can access the vaccine ahead of them.

To schedule an appointment for the free COVID-19 vaccination at a county health department, individuals may call the ADPH COVID-19 Vaccine Scheduling Hotline at 1-855-566-5333.  For general information about COVID-19, the COVID-19 Information Hotline number is 1-800-270-7268. The vaccine providers can be found within the Alabama COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Dashboard at arcg.is/OrCey.

ADPH anticipates the release of a new online tool next week which will provide information about opportunities for vaccination, including drive-through clinics being scheduled throughout the state.

Governor Kay Ivey issued her twenty-second supplemental emergency proclamation extending the Safer at Home Order that includes a statewide mask requirement. Individuals will be required to wear a mask or other facial covering when in public and in close contact with other people, as described in the order. This order extends until Friday, March 5, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.

Extended Safer at Home Order (PDF) (Spanish Version (PDF))

Safer at Home Info Sheet 1 (PDF)

Safer at Home Info Sheet 2 (PDF)

Safer at Home Info Sheet 3 (PDF)

Twenty-second Supplemental Emergency Proclamation (PDF)

Governor Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) announced that ADPH will provide COVID-19 vaccinations for people 75 years old or older, as well as first responders, including law enforcement and firefighters, statewide by appointment only effective January 18. Appointments at locations throughout the state are made first come, first served. The addition of these groups is not a full expansion into the next phase of the vaccine rollout.

Alabama continues to vaccinate more than 326,000 health care workers and nursing home residents who are most at-risk of contracting COVID-19. As the vaccine uptake for this category is satisfied, ADPH is now encouraging sites to vaccinate persons in the 75-plus age group and those in the law enforcement and firefighter vocations in order to prevent any loss of vaccine due to cold chain storage requirements.

Nearly 350,000 people in the state of Alabama would qualify for a vaccine at 75 years old and older.

To schedule an appointment for the free COVID-19 vaccination, individuals may call the ADPH toll-free phone number at 1-855-566-5333. Telephone calls are answered from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. seven days a week.

Vaccination locations can be viewed at this link, https://go.usa.gov/xARKp and additional specific information, such as what to bring and what to wear, will be provided when appointments are made.

If wanting to be vaccinated at sites other than a county health department, such as a private provider, individuals should contact those sites directly.

For information about COVID-19 vaccines, visit https://go.usa.gov/xARKE.

Governor Kay Ivey issued her twentieth supplemental emergency proclamation extending the Safer at Home Order that includes a statewide mask requirement. Individuals will be required to wear a mask or other facial covering when in public and in close contact with other people, as described in the order. This order extends until Friday, January 22, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.

Extended Safer at Home Order (PDF); Spanish Version (PDF)

Safer at Home Info Sheet 1 (PDF)

Safer at Home Info Sheet 2 (PDF)

Safer at Home Info Sheet 3 (PDF)

Twentieth Supplemental Emergency Proclamation (PDF)

Governor Kay Ivey announced Revive Plus, a $200 million grant program to support small businesses, non-profits and faith-based organizations in Alabama that have been impacted by COVID-19. Revive Plus is the second wave of funding for these organizations with 50 or fewer employees and will award grants of up to $20,000 for expenses they have incurred due to operational interruptions caused by the pandemic and related business closures.

Entities may receive up to $20,000 to reimburse qualifying expenses if they have not received federal assistance for the corresponding item they are claiming with the state of Alabama. The Revive Plus grant is in addition to any state of Alabama Coronavirus Relief Fund grant previously received, including the Revive Alabama Small Business, Non-Profit, Faith-Based, and Health Care Provider grants. There is no set cap on the number of entities that may be awarded a Revive Plus Grant. Grants will be awarded to qualifying applicants on a first-come-first-served basis until the funds are exhausted.

Alabama received approximately $1.9 billion of CARES Act funding to respond to and mitigate the coronavirus pandemic. Alabama Act 2020-199 initially designated up to $300 million of the Coronavirus Relief Fund for individuals, businesses, non-profit and faith-based organizations directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. After the initial $100 million for small business that was reimbursed starting in July 2020, legislative leadership approved a second round of $200 million from allocations made to reimburse state government and from other grant programs that have ended with the full allocation unspent.

Entities may access grant information and the grant application through the Coronavirus Relief Fund website. The application period for the Revive Plus Grant Program will open at noon, November 23, 2020 and run through noon, December 4, 2020.

A coalition of the Business Council of Alabama, the National Federation of Independent Business of Alabama (NFIB Alabama), and the Alabama Restaurant Association worked closely with the Governor’s Office to revisit the grant program after the initial round of Revive Alabama reached the $100 million cap.

Qualifying entities must have been in business March 1, 2020, are currently in business and have a valid W-9 to apply for a Revive Plus Grant.

Governor Kay Ivey issued her nineteenth supplemental emergency proclamation containing an amended Safer at Home Order that includes a statewide mask requirement. Individuals will be required to wear a mask or other facial covering when in public and in close contact with other people, as described in the order. This amended order extends until Friday, December 11, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.

Amended Safer at Home Order (PDF)

Safer at Home Info Sheet 1 (PDF)

Safer at Home Info Sheet 2 (PDF)

Safer at Home Info Sheet 3 (PDF)

Nineteenth Supplemental Emergency Proclamation (PDF)

Governor Kay Ivey, along with the Appalachian Regional Commission, have announced a $1.5 million grant to put Alabama’s workforce on the fast track to meet the growing demand for jobs in several occupations.

The grant, announced by the ARC, to Bevill State Community College will result in the renovation and expansion of a training facility at the college’s campus in Hamilton. The expanded facility will help train people entering the high-demand and high-paying vocations of welding and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning, and other similar occupations.

The project will produce a competitive workforce of students and worker-trainees to supply several new or growing industries in the region with the labor required to help them thrive and succeed.

The grant was produced through ARC’s Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) initiative which targets areas affected by the closing of coal mining and coal-related industries.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs administers the ARC program in Alabama.

Dr. Chris Cox, Bevill State interim president, said the program will allow for scholarships for workers who lost jobs in coal-related industries.

ARC is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments. The agency’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation. Thirty-seven Alabama counties are part of the ARC region and eligible for funds.

ADECA manages a range of programs that support law enforcement, economic development, recreation, energy conservation and water resource management.

Governor Kay Ivey issued her eighteenth supplemental emergency proclamation containing an amended Safer at Home Order that includes a statewide mask requirement. Individuals will be required to wear a mask or other facial covering when in public and in close contact with other people, as described in the order. This amended order extends until Sunday, November 8, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.

Amended Safer at Home Order (PDF)

Safer at Home Info Sheet 1 (PDF)

Safer at Home Info Sheet 2 (PDF)

Safer at Home Info Sheet 3 (PDF)

Eighteenth Supplemental Emergency Proclamation (PDF)

Hospitals and Long-Term Living Facilities Sign (PDF)

Resources for Businesses (PDF)

Governor Kay Ivey announced that Alabama has been awarded $17,827,178.11 to provide opportunities for Alabama workers that have been displaced by COVID-19 to develop new skills in high demand industries. The funds will be administered by the Alabama Department of Commerce, on behalf of the State Workforce Investment Board, to support the Alabama Workforce Stabilization Program (AWSP).

The funds were allocated from the Education Stabilization Fund of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump. This is an additional allocation that is separate from the $1.9 billion in CARES Act funds the state of Alabama received in March 2020.

The U.S. Department of Education announced the Reimagine Workforce Preparation (RWP) grant competition in late spring 2020, inviting any state to apply. Specifically, it called for projects that expand educational opportunities through short-term, career pathways, sector-based education and training programs or support college sustainability and local entrepreneurship through small business incubators.

The Alabama Workforce Stabilization Program, under the criteria established in the grant competition, will assist low-income Alabamians who have been displaced by COVID-19 transition into new fields. The AWSP will be targeted at disconnected or dislocated workers with basic skills deficiencies and serving incumbent workers or dislocated workers who are prepared for direct employment.

The Alabama Community College System (ACCS) and the Alabama Technology Network (ATN) will deliver the training programs throughout the duration of the grant. ACCS Chancellor Jimmy H. Baker expressed his support for the state’s efforts to help disconnected or dislocated Alabamians get back to work.

Deputy Commerce Secretary Ed Castile, who also serves as the Director of the Alabama Industrial Development Training Agency and administers the State Workforce Investment Board, will also implement the Alabama Workforce Stabilization Program’s curriculum.

Manufacture Alabama President George Clark, who also serves as Chairman of the State Workforce Investment Board, helped AWSP secure this grant and will lead the implementation of the grant as State Workforce Investment Board chairman.

Alabama was one of eight states awarded the RWP grant. Other awardees include Arkansas, California, Hawaii, Michigan, Nevada, New York and Hampton University in partnership with the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Governor Kay Ivey announced that Alabama will be re-allocating $300 million in CARES Act funds to Alabama’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. The funds will be used to offset “shared costs,” which are costs that are equally distributed to all tax-paying employers and can significantly increase employers’ unemployment insurance tax rates.

Based on preliminary calculations (PDF), without the transfer of the money, unemployment insurance tax rates for employers would increase by 508%, representing a rise in the “shared costs” tax rate from 0.65% to 3.95%. By adding the $300 million, this increase will be reduced to 200%, representing a new tax rate of 1.95%.

Additionally, beginning October 1, 2020, the Alabama Department of Labor will reinstate  temporarily waived employer costs associated with COVID-19 related claims.

The waiting week, which refers to the holding of the first compensable week of unemployment benefits, and the job search requirement, will continue to be waived through the end of the year.

Governor Kay Ivey issued her seventeenth supplemental emergency proclamation containing an amended Safer at Home Order that includes a statewide mask requirement. Individuals will be required to wear a mask or other facial covering when in public and in close contact with other people, as described in the order. This amended order extends until Friday, October 2, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.

Amended Safer at Home Order (PDF)

Safer at Home Info Sheet 1 (PDF)

Safer at Home Info Sheet 2 (PDF)

Safer at Home Info Sheet 3 (PDF)

Seventeenth Supplemental Emergency Proclamation (PDF)

Resources for Businesses (PDF)