Alabama governor issues shelter-in-place order as coronavirus cases near 1,500 statewide
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey on Friday issued a statewide shelter-in-place order to further mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
The order will go into effect starting at 5 p.m. April 4 and expire at 5 p.m. April 30.
Under the order all residents must stay home except to perform any essential activities, which include:
- Obtaining necessary supplies, such as food, supplies to work from home, prescription medication, medical supplies and fuel
- Obtaining or providing necessary services
- Attending religious services so long as the event involves fewer than 10 people and the people maintain a six-foot distance from one another, or the service is drive-in and all participants remain in their vehicles for the duration of the service
- Taking care of others
- Working at an essential business or operation
- Engaging in an outdoor activity
- Seeking shelter
- Visiting family members
- Traveling as required by law
More details can be found in the order which is published online at governor.alabama.gov.
Ivey had previously declared a state public health emergency for the state on March 13.
State health officials reported as of noon Friday that there are now 1,454 confirmed cases statewide and 38 deaths related to the coronavirus.
Neighboring state Georgia also issued a shelter-in-place order on Wednesday.