The U.S. state of Alabama's Governor Kay Ivey on Thursday extended her state's mandatory mask order by a month, but said the requirement will end for good after the lapse of the latest extension.

Ivey said the mask order will remain in place until April 9 following recommendations by health officials.

The health officials argue that easing restrictions before more people are vaccinated risks reversing the gains made in the fight to stop COVID-19.

According to an AP report, Alabama’s rolling seven-day average of daily cases has dropped from 3,000 in early January to below 1,000 and hospitalizations are at their lowest point since summer.