Following the lead of Gov. Kay Ivey, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said he will allow the city’s mask mandate to lapse.

Ivey announced this month she was not going the extend the statewide mandate, letting it expire April 9.

Since last July, Huntsville, Madison and Madison County required masks to be worn in public.

Last week, Battle said he spoke with Madison County Health Officer Dr. Karen Landers and the city will “follow the governor’s mandate that will end on April 9th.”

“She has indicated they will go along with the governor’s mask ordinance, and when the mask ordinance ends, the (county) mask ordinance will end,” Battle said.

However, Battle said businesses and other entities may require masks be worn by their customers and visitors.

“Private entities, public entities will still have the power to require masks when you come in and interact with the employees at their place,” he said. “It will be up to that private entity or that public entity and it will be up to individual choice whether you mask or not.”