MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Governor Kay Ivey announced on Tuesday that Alabama's stay-at-home order will expire on April 30 at 5:00 p.m, to be replaced by a "Safer at Home" order. The reopening of the state will be a multi-phase process to keep people safe and healthy while looking at the economic health of the state.
Safer at Home: The Basics
INDIVIDUALS
Encouraged to stay home and follow good sanitation practices
EMPLOYER
Businesses may open subject to sanitation and social-distancing guidelines; certain higher-risk businesses and activities remain closed
RETAIL STORES
All retail stores open subject to 50% occupancy rate, social-distancing and sanitation rules
BEACHES
Open except no gatherings of 10 persons or more and people must maintain 6 feet of separation
MEDICAL PROCEDURES
Allowed unless prohibited in the future by the State Health Officer to preserve resources necessary to diagnose and treat COVID-19; providers must follow COVID-19-related rules and guidance from state regulatory boards or public health authorities
WHAT’S STAYING THE SAME
NON WORK GATHERINGS
Still limited to fewer than 10 persons with 6 feet of distance between persons. “Drive-in” gatherings still permitted if participants stay in cars with people from their own households.
SENIOR CITIZEN CENTERS
Regular programming still suspended except meals still available through curbside pick-up or delivery
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
Still closed to in-person instruction (except for daytime special activities programs)
CHILD DAY CARE FACILITIES
Still must not allow 12 or more children in a room
HOSPITALS AND NURSING HOMES
Still must implement policies to restrict visitation
RESTAURANTS, BARS AND BREWERIES
Still limited to take-out, curbside or delivery
STILL CLOSED— Entertainment venues (such as night clubs, theaters, bowling alleys)— Athletic facilities and activities (such as fitness centers and commercial gyms) — Close-contact service providers (such as barber shops, hair salons, nail salons, tattoo services
What changed? Take a look:
Social distancing will still be required, as well as maintaining good health practices. People who are at high-risk are encouraged to remain at home.
Face masks are recommended for anyone out in public.
Elective medical procedures, including dental procedures, may resume.
Governor Ivey called on her pastor to address the consensus of faith leaders, lay leaders, and medical personnel he has spoken with. Dr. Jay Wolf said that his task force worked on guidelines to reopen faith gatherings responsibly, realizing the danger of the spread of COVID-19. They have decided to follow CDC guidelines for reopening places of worship for large, in-person gatherings. At this time, large in-person and small group gatherings are not advised. He stressed that this is a process and emphasized that the guidelines are there to protect people and communities. Churches are encouraged to continue to provide services online and to hold drive-up services that adhere to social distancing guidelines.
Retail businesses will be allowed to reopen to 50% capacity, with customers not allowed to congregate in groups.
Close-contact businesses will not be reopening at this time. Restaurants can continue to operate under the same rules they have been operating under.
Employers will still be required to take all possible precautions to maintain social distancing and health hygiene for employees. Working from home whenever possible is encouraged.
State public health officer reported that new cases are essentially flat, as are death rates. He said that Alabama has met two out of three of the criteria set out by the White House for Phase 1 reopening, and is moving to a gradual reopening. Alabama will not be reopening businesses like entertainment venues and gyms at this time.
Read the "Safer at Home" order here: