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Governor Kay Ivey on Friday issued a Stay at Home order to be applied statewide. The order will be effective beginning Saturday, April 4, at 5:00 p.m. and will expire Thursday, April 30, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.

The joint press conference included Gov. Ivey, State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris, Attorney General Steve Marshall, and Dexter Avenue Baptist Church’s Rev. Cromwell A. Handy. These officials met to provide further updates on Alabama’s efforts to combat COVID-19.

“I am mandating a stay at home order for the entire state. I want Alabamians to be prepared. I have tried to find the right balance,” said Gov. Ivey.

With an increasing number of positive cases, Ivey decided it was a crucial decision for the health of all Alabamians.

“Alabama is seeing an increasing number of positive cases everyday. At least 34 people have died. Our expected surge in hospitalization will occur in 2-3 weeks. Those patients are the ones that will become infected in the next few days,” shared Ivey.

Ivey described the actions already taken as “not enough.”

“Late yesterday afternoon it became obvious that more needed to be done,” said Ivey.

Supporting Ivey’s decision, Dr. Harris explained the importance of the order.

“The best way to stop the transmission of this disease is to stay 6 ft. apart at all times and that is what we will ask people to do,” said Dr. Harris.