Gadsden, AL –  Gadsden Mayor Sherman Guyton announced Tuesday that the mask order for city facilities and transportation services will be extended until Friday, April 30, 2021, even after state orders may expire.

Gov. Kay Ivey has said that she plans to let the state’s mask mandate expire on Friday, April 9. Though that will affect the state as a whole, cities and businesses are still able to have their own rules in place.

“Things are trending in a positive direction — COVID-19 case numbers are down, and vaccine eligibility has recently been opened to everyone age 16 and up in Alabama,” Mayor Guyton said.

“The City of Gadsden plans to continue requiring masks in city facilities until April 30 in order to provide more time for other protective measures like the vaccine to be effective,” he continued. “This will also protect city workers in addition to those who visit government buildings.”

Private businesses may institute their own rules, but this policy will be only for city facilities.

Masks will also still be required for City of Gadsden transportation services, such as the trolley service and DART. 

Transportation services are required to follow federal mandates concerning the wearing of masks.

Please continue to follow COVID-19 safety guidelines and exercise caution as we work toward returning to normal activities.