Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth (R-AL) on Wednesday again called on Governor Kay Ivey (R-AL) to rescind the statewide mask mandate currently in place.

Ainsworth has opposed the mandate since its original implementation last spring, and he has urged Ivey to allow it to expire each time it has come up for renewal. Instead of mandating facial coverings be worn, Ainsworth has consistently advocated for individual responsibility. On a personal level, he has also advocated for mask usage among the best ways to combat the pandemic.

With the latest expiration coming on Friday evening, Ainsworth is once again calling for the mandate to end. This time around, he is asking that Ivey follow the recent lead of Texas, Mississippi and other states in doing so. COVID-19 cases continue a dramatic decline both nationally and across Alabama.

In a written statement, Ainsworth said, “I urge Gov. Kay Ivey to immediately lift the statewide mask mandate and allow citizens and local officials the liberty to make the decisions that best fit their circumstances.”

The rest of his statement read as follows:

Since its implementation last July, I have held the position that a statewide mask mandate is an overstep that infringes upon the property rights of business owners and the ability of individuals to make their own health decisions.

In addition, it imposes a one-size-fits-all, big-government requirement on cities, towns, counties, and other areas that have low-to-moderate infection rates and little need for such a mandate.

Rescinding the blanket mask order and lifting capacity restrictions and other limitations will also send the loud, clear, and unmistakable message that Alabama is once again fully open for business.

Individuals who wish to continue wearing masks may do so, and business owners certainly have the right to require their employees and customers to wear face coverings, if they wish. Local governments may pass their own requirements, as well.

Until we reach adequate vaccination and immunity levels, I encourage everyone to continue social distancing, practicing good hygiene, and making smart decisions that affect their own health and the health of those around them.

But we can do all of these things without a Big Brother-style government mandate looming over us.

Ivey is set to have a press conference Thursday at 11:00 a.m. regarding the mask mandate’s future.

Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn