A new Alabama health order will go into effect on Saturday at 5 p.m.
This order closes more businesses in the state. It also states all non-work-related gatherings of 10 people or more or non-work-related gatherings that can't maintain a six-foot distance between people are prohibited.
Also, there are no visitors allowed at hospitals and nursing homes, effective immediately. Non-essential medical, dental and surgical procedures are postponed until further notice.
All beaches are closed. Also, in-person instruction or classes at all schools, public and private, are closed.
Restaurants, bars and breweries are not allowed to have on-premise consumption of food or drinks.
This order is in effect until 5 p.m. on April 17. The state says prior to this time, it will determine whether or not to extend the order.
Gov. Kay Ivey says she does not believe Alabama needs a full shelter in place order at this time due to coronavirus, and hopefully, not at any time. However, she says people can do so on their own if they feel it’s necessary.
Effective Saturday at 5 p.m., these businesses and activities are closed to non-employees:
- Night clubs
- Bowling alleys and arcades
- Concert venues, theaters, auditoriums and performing arts centers
- Tourist attractions (including museums and planetariums)
- Racetracks
- Indoor children’s play areas
- Adult entertainment venues
- Casinos and bingo halls
- Venues operated by social clubs
- Fitness centers and commercial gyms
- Spas and public or commercial swimming pools
- Yoga, barre, and spin facilities
- Spectator sports and sports that involve interaction with another person of closer than 6 feet
- Activities that require use of shared sporting apparatus and equipment
- Activities on commercial or public playground equipment
- Barber shops, hair salons, waxing salons, threading salons, nail salons and spas
- Body-art facilities and tattoo services, tanning salons
- Massage-therapy establishments and massage services
- Furniture and home-furnishings stores
- Clothing, shoe, and clothing-accessory stores
- Jewelry, luggage, and leather goods stores
- Department stores and sporting goods stores
- Book, craft, and music stores
The state says the following categories of employers are considered essential:
- State and local governments
- Law enforcement
- Hospitals and nursing home/long term care facilities
- End stage renal disease treatment centers, pharmacies, and grocery stores