Tuscaloosa To Close All Bars And Prohibit Alcohol Sales
Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox announced Monday a prohibition on alcohol sales and the closure of all bars for the next 14 days.
This comes after photos circulated on social media of unmasked parents and students during bid day celebrations last Sunday. More recent photos show unmasked students not social distancing outside popular local bars such as Gallettes.
Under the the executive order, restaurants in Tuscaloosa can still sell alcohol but only at seated tables. All bars in restaurant will be closed.
“Fall in Tuscaloosa is in serious jeopardy,” Maddox said.
Maddox said if nothing is done to curb the spread of COVID-19, DCH Regional Medical Center, the local area hospital, would be stretched beyond its capacity in the next four to six weeks.
“If we do nothing, UA will be forced to go to virtual classes, and the economic consequences will be harsh and long lasting,” Maddox said.
UA President Stuart Bell said the closure will help stop the spread of the virus and keep students on campus throughout the semester.
“We know that early intervention has the best chance of changing the trajectory of where we’re going,” Bell said. “Our challenge is not the students, our challenge is the virus. And there’s a difference, folks … it’s not student behavior.”
Shortly after the announcement, Gov. Kay Ivey issued a statement of support.
“I appreciate Mayor Walt Maddox and The University of Alabama leadership for tackling a serious problem as quickly as possible,” Ivey wrote. “If we do not act expeditiously, it leaves the potential for a situation to get out of hand, which would require even tougher, longer-lasting decisions to be enacted.”
According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, cases among 18-24 years old increased slightly in the last week from 13.86% to 13.89% of all cases across the state.

GuideSafe, a program that aims to test 200,000 higher education students across the state, said as of Thursday only 0.75% of students tested positive for the virus.
Only a handful of colleges and universities in Alabama have publicly reported the number of new coronavirus cases on their campuses. The University of Alabama has yet to release its campus-specific data. President Bell said the university plans to release its data soon.
Meanwhile, coronavirus cases across the state appear to be on a decline. But numbers released this morning show an uptick in weekly reported cases compared to the week before in conjunction with fewer completed tests.

Indian authorities begin investigating Air India crash in which 1 passenger survived
India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is investigating the crash with help from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board. Authorities said Friday that the black box has been recovered.
Oil prices jump and stocks tumble following Israel’s attack on Iran
Israel's attack on Iran sparked the biggest jump in crude oil prices since Russia's invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago. Stocks fell sharply.
‘I just walked out’: The sole survivor of the Air India crash shares his story
Viswashkumar Ramesh was on his way home to London when tragedy struck. In hospital interviews, he explains how he made his way out of seat 11A — which isn't typically the safest part of the plane.
Sean Combs’ ex describes relationship marked by ‘manipulation’: ‘I couldn’t say no’
The woman who dated Combs until his arrest described the relationship in complex terms — traumatic but sometimes loving — and seemed to be working through her feelings about it on the witness stand.
A 2nd judge halts more of Trump’s voting executive order
More than a month after a federal judge halted a key portion of President Trump's executive order on voting, another judge has ruled that additional provisions of the order need to pause as well.
Why did Israel strike Iran? An Israeli politician and a US-Iran expert weigh in
NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon about his country's strikes.