All ‘non-essential businesses’ closed statewide until April 17th; however Governor Kay Ivey stops short of issuing “shelter-in-place”.
A new health order which will go into effect this Saturday, March 28th at 5:00pm – expands coronavirus-related restrictions statewide. The move comes as the coronavirus numbers in Alabama continue to grow, and one day after officials announced schools, closed since early March, would go to distance learning for the remainder of the year.
During a Friday morning news conference, Governor Ivey made the statement “Folks, this is serious and this is real; we must be serious about eliminating the spread of this deadly virus.” As for a shelter-in-place order, Ivey said “she has to keep an eye on the economy.” The latest order also prohibits any non-work related gathering of 10 or more people or any gathering that can’t maintain six-foot distance between people. Grocery stores and pharmacies will remain open, as will gun stores.
Among the business that will be closed are:
Entertainment venues
- Nightclubs
- Bowling alleys
- Arcades
- Theaters
- Tourist attractions
- Adult entertainment venues
- Casinos
- Venues operated by social clubs
Athletic facilities and activities
- Fitness Centers and commercial gyms
- Spas
- Public, commercial swimming pools
- Spectator sports
- Sports that involve interaction with another person closer than 6 feet
- Activities that require use of shared sports apparatus and equipment
- Activities on commercial or public playground equipment
Close-contact activities:
- Barber and hair salons
- Waxing, threading salons
- Nail salons
- Body-art and tattoo services
- Tanning salons
- Massage services
Retail stores
- Furniture and home furnishings
- Clothing, shoes and accessory stores
- Jewelry, luggage stores
- Department stores
- Sporting goods stores
- Book, craft and music stores
Alabama’s beaches will remain closed through April 17th; all private schools, colleges and universities are to remain closed for the same time.
Health orders remain in place for daycares.
Harris said counties and cities are free to enact their own measures in addition to the state regulations.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL STATE HEALTH ORDER
(AL.COM/www.al.com)