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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Managing Editor

Chilton County Schools has announced that masks will be optional after 5 p.m. on April 9.

This is when Gov. Kay Ivey’s mask ordinance requirement is set to expire.

“Chilton County Schools has monitored the number of COVID cases in our school system over the last month,” CCS Superintendent Jason Griffin said. “Each week, we have had less than five cases with over 6,500 students and faculty/ staff in our buildings.”

During a press conference on April 7, Ivey announced a Safer Apart Order, which moves the state to phase three of COVID-19 response. Under this order, masks are still strongly encouraged, but will not be required statewide. Some municipalities and businesses may continue to require that masks be worn.

Under the new order, facilities that serve children are encouraged to keep 3 feet of distance between children of different households. Employers of all kinds are still encouraged to continue to practice social distancing of 6 feet.