HUNTSVILLE, Ala. —
Now, we don’t have a Shelter in Place order in Madison County at this time.
But, local leaders have said these next two weeks are crucial in controlling the spread. Today, they say they’re willing to take the next step if they need to.
Madison Mayor Paul Finley says, “Its a fluid situation that we will continue to work with the healthcare authorities. And if we felt like we needed to take the next step, we would.”
That’s Mayor Paul Finley’s response when asked about the Shelter-in-Place order initiated in Birmingham...and if that could be a possibility for us here in Madison County.
Governor Ivey announced now is “not the time” to initiate a state-wide “shelter in place order. But, local businesses are about to have to close their doors. Mayor Finley says, “Folks will, after 5:00 tomorrow be asked not to be open.”
Governor Ivey has ordered all "non-essential Businesses to close until April 17th. This includes a wide variety of businesses, from clubs to gyms, even nail and hair salons.
Grocery stores and gun stores are exempted.
Officials still urge you to avoid public spaces if you can.
Dr. Karen Landers of Alabama Department of Public Health says, “I think we all have to remember that we’re all still safer at home.”
Redstone Arsenal is taking steps to keep its workers. At this time,13 employees have tested positive for COVID-19.
Gen. Edward Daly of Redstone Arsenal says, “353 families that reside on Redstone arsenal. None of those individuals that reside on Redstone are positive at this point. Although we continue to monitor.”
At this point, we're told Huntsville Main hospital has 5 in-patients that have tested positive for COVID-19.
Mayor Finley says he’s counting on locals keeping up with the social distancing. And that local departments will help monitor that. He adds, “We’ll use our police departments and our recreation departments to go to those parks and kind of do as Mayor Battle was saying (makes social distancing hand gesture). Are we doing the social distancing piece of that?”
After the first COVID-19 related death in Madison County, locals are concerned. Mayor Finley says local leaders won’t take the next step until it’s “the right time.” He adds, “If you don’t have to be out, please don’t. If we continue to do that for the next 10-14 days, we’re flattening the curve. And we come out of this that much more quickly.”