Gov. Ivey Closes Beaches Through April 5
Gov. Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Public Health issued a new statewide health order Thursday in response to the growing number of COVID-19 cases in Alabama. It remains in effect through April 5.
You can read the full order below, but some of the highlights include:
- All gatherings of 25 people or more are prohibited. This includes gatherings of any size that cannot maintain a consistent six-foot distance between each person.
- All restaurants, bars and breweries can’t have on-site consumption.
- All beaches will be closed effective Thursday at 5:00 p.m. This includes all public and private beaches in Alabama.
- Preschools and childcare centers will be closed beginning this afternoon. Some exceptions include licensed childcare centers that provide services to state and local governments, first responders, law enforcement, hospitals etc.
- All hospitals and nursing homes must prohibit all visitors except for certain compassionate care situations such as maternity and end-of-life.
- All elective dental and medical procedures will be delayed, effective immediately.
“Despite our best efforts, the threat of the Covid-19 [sic] virus continues to spread and, unfortunately, we have not yet reached peak impact,” Ivey wrote in a press release. “After many rounds of conversations with local leaders, in which we discussed several options, I have decided to close beach access in any form. Since we do not want to promote social gatherings, keeping the beaches open sends the wrong message to the public. At this moment, the safety and wellbeing [sic] of Alabamians is paramount.”
State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris says failure to comply with the health order could result in a misdemeanor charge and/or a fine.
“We understand that the health orders issued will be a hardship on Alabamians. We must, first and foremost, protect the health and safety of our citizens,” Harris said in a press release. “This decision has not been made lightly and will help to prevent the spread of this virus.”
Alabama State Health Office… by Miranda Fulmore on Scribd
Meanwhile, the Jefferson County Department of Health (JCDH) issued new restrictions Thursday afternoon. Those amended the previous order which limited groups of more than 25 people. Now, groups larger than 10 are prohibited.
The new health order also says all non-essential businesses and services in Jefferson County are closed until further notice. Dr. Mark Wilson, health officer for JCDH, says non-essential services include entertainment venues, recreational facilities (swimming and gyms), nail salons, museums, social clubs, and tattoo, tanning or massage parlors.
Read More: The Full List Of Non-Essential Services
Wilson says there are currently no restrictions on grocery stores under the new order. Wilsons says he has no plans to change that as of now, but he does warn that “we’re in for a long ride.” Wilson says there is currently no countywide curfew in place.
Photo by David Smith
A proposed Bessemer data center faces new hurdles: a ‘road to nowhere’ and the Birmingham darter
With the City Council in Bessemer scheduled to vote Tuesday on a “hyperscale” data center, challenges from an environmental group and the Alabama Department of Transportation present potential obstacles for the wildly unpopular project.
Birmingham Museum of Art’s silver exhibit tells a dazzling global story
Silver and Ceremony is made up of more than 150 suites of silver, sourced from India, and some of their designs.
Mentally ill people are stuck in jail because they can’t get treatment. Here’s what’s to know
Hundreds of people across Alabama await a spot in the state’s increasingly limited facilities, despite a consent decree requiring the state to address delays in providing care for people who are charged with crimes but deemed too mentally ill to stand trial. But seven years since the federal agreement, the problem has only worsened.
Ivey appoints Will Parker to Alabama Supreme Court
Parker fills the court seat vacated by Bill Lewis who was tapped by President Donald Trump for a federal judgeship. The U.S. Senate last month confirmed Lewis as a U.S. district judge.
How Alabama Power kept bills up and opposition out to become one of the most powerful utilities in the country
In one of the poorest states in America, the local utility earns massive profits producing dirty energy with almost no pushback from state regulators.
No more Elmo? APT could cut ties with PBS
The board that oversees Alabama Public Television is considering disaffiliating from PBS, ending a 55-year relationship.
