A day before Gov. Kay Ivey extended the state’s mandate for masks to be worn in public settings, Dr. Karen Landers of the Alabama Department of Public Health resisted any prompts to politicize any decision.

Landers said her department and associates fed information and opinion to the governor, who was then responsible for any declarations.

“We defer to the governor,’’ Landers said Wednesday at the weekly COVID-19 press conference at the Huntsville City Council chambers. “We allow her to make decisions that are best for Alabama.’’

On Thursday, Ivey extended her safer at home mandate requiring masks to April 9. That mandate was scheduled to expire today.

The extension is designed to allow businesses to adapt their own mask policies, and to allow a larger window for more people to get vaccinated, the governor said. Other restrictions in the previous health order are being lifted, though there will still be restrictions on visitors to hospitals and nursing homes.

Also, bars and restaurants will still be restricted from having party tables but the number of patrons at one sitting will be broadened with social distancing still in effect.

“Folks we’re not there, yet,’’ Ivey said. “But goodness knows we’re getting closer.”

At the weekly briefing in Huntsville, Michelle Jordan, executive director of the Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments (TARCOG), said her agency has been pleased with its efforts.

TARCOG serves five counties, including Madison.

“We’re developing a strategy to reopen senior centers throughout the state,’’ she said.

TARCOG has provided food, health and legal services to seniors despite the close of centers during the pandemic. When providing home service needs workers check the wellbeing of the senior and help them with identifying vaccine sites and setting up appointments.

Meanwhile, Landers said 40,000 of the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine is expected within a week, but additional shipments aren’t expected until late March.

Regardless of the vaccine brand — J&J or the two-dose Moderna or Pfizer — Landers said to get it when available and to not shop around. The one-dose vaccine has proved less effective, but is still a shield against COVID-19.

““The J&J vaccine is a fine vaccine,” she said. “It’s a vaccine that the overall efficacy, while it appears a little lower, is still very reasonable. I tell people to take the vaccine that is available to you when your phase is available.”

While COVID-19 numbers continue to decline, mutations of the virus still means following the same safety guidelines that have been in place. Including wearing masks.

“COVID-19 is not going away,’’ Landers said. “We can get it under control with vaccines and preventive measures.’’

That, she added, includes masking.

“It’s time to stay vigilant,’’ Landers said.