Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced Sunday that she has authorized state agencies to allow state employees to work from home, use flexible work schedules and to practice social distancing.

The governor took to Twitter to make the announcement Sunday evening as public school systems across the state announced closures for the following day and the number of confirmed Alabama cases of COVID-19 rose to 13.

Departments that provide public safety, direct care and other emergency services will have to plan schedules to continue providing essential and emergency services, she said in a tweet.

“While out of the office, please continue the practice of sound hygiene and social distancing,” Ivey said.

Regular work schedules should resume on Monday, April 6.

AL.com is offering a free service so you can receive the most urgent coronavirus updates on your cell phone. To sign up, subscribe to Alabama Coronavirus Urgent Alerts. You can follow our coronavirus live updates here.