MONTGOMERY, Ala. — On May 8, Governor Kay Ivey issued two Supplemental State of Emergency Proclamations, bringing the total to nine.
The Eighth Supplemental Emergency Proclamation deals with liability protections for health care providers and businesses. The order "protects health care providers from a frivolous lawsuit based on actions they took or failed to take as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and "protects businesses from frivolous lawsuits when they conduct COVID-19 testing or distribute PPE to help protect people from COVID-19." Claims based on egregious misconduct would be allowed.
The governor's office says the Act itself grants immunity in certain instances where people or companies are trying to comply with the state’s emergency orders and gives the governor power to take steps necessary to promote and secure the safety and protection of the public.
The Ninth Supplemental Emergency Proclamation covers multiple issues, including expanding local probate judges flexibility in administering the upcoming July 14 primary runoff election and making easier electric co-ops' ability to apply for emergency loans. It also extends the formal “public health emergency” for 60 days, beginning May 13.
This extension of the "public health emergency" does not change the current "Safer-at-home" order. It only allows the governor to take extraordinary steps to deal with an emergency situation. According to the governor's office, other recent State of Emergeny extensions have included extensions to the State of Emergency after the 2010 BP Oil Spill that totaled almost 2.5 years and five extensions to the SOE after the April 2011 tornadoes that totaled almost 10 months.
Governor Kay Ivey will be speaking at 11:00 am CST. Watch her speech live here or on the Governor's Facebook page.
