Lt. governor outlines Reopening Alabama Responsibly plan
On April 17, Alabama Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth held a press conference to discuss the plan to reopen businesses in the state, some immediately and others in May.
The recommendations are from the Small Business Emergency Task Force, which is made up of a subcommittee of business leaders and members of the Alabama legislature who have been working to determine the best method for safely reopening businesses, restoring commerce and recharging Alabama’s economy while protecting the public health.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a tremendous effect on the state’s economy. Between March 16 and April 15, over 306,000 Alabamians filed for unemployment.
With people out of work and businesses closed, a 20% reduction in receipts to the general fund budget would mean a loss of $400 million and significantly reduced funding for many state agencies. Alabama could see a decrease of $1.3 billion in the education trust fund budget.
The plan is to reopen the economy as safely and as soon as possible. There was a process for business owners and industries to complete addressing three things:
- What they are going to do to protect employees
- What they are going to protect customers and
- What they are going to do to prevent further spread of the virus
This is phase one of the project, and the task force is not recommending reopening all businesses, but ones that can be opened safely now.
“Our message is simple: continue social distancing spreading people out,” Lt. Gov. Ainsworth said. “It’s not fair for small businesses not to be open. From a social distancing standpoint, we believe smaller stores equal smaller risks.”
Ainsworth said they believe every business is an essential business and each day the economy stays closed, the ripple effect goes through the state.
The following recommendations have been presented to Gov. Ivey that these businesses can open safely immediately. It will be up to her to grant approval for this to happen.
- Retail. Guidelines would be operating at 50% capacity, having check out lines must be clearly marked, doors and exits receive regular sanitation measures.
- Restaurants. Smaller groups equal smaller risks, customers seated 6 feet apart, groups limited to 6 guests per table and all surfaces sanitized regularly.
- Close contact services. Barber shops, hair salons, nail salons, tattoo studios, tanning salons, waxing salons and massage therapy facilities. All employees will be required to wear masks, no customers allowed in waiting areas, may be served by appointment only.
- Childcare facilities. Must follow CDC guidelines and maximum of 11 children in a facility.
Other places recommended to open on May 1 include:
- Medical and health services including medical doctors, oral surgery, dental offices, physical therapy clinics and optometrists. No patients can be in the waiting room and must wait in their car to be notified.
- Entertainment including gaming facilities, race tracks, casinos, bingo halls, museums and planetariums.
- Exercise facilities. Must sanitize equipment and contact services and limit interaction between employees and members.
- Beaches. The recommendation is twofold. On May 1, the beaches can open to recreational activity including walking, running, swimming and fishing. Congregating or use of chairs, umbrellas or tents will be prohibited. On May 15, beach regulations may be relaxed but with social distancing of 6 feet between groups.
- Youth athletic activities including baseball and softball. The date of May 11 came from the national associations. There will be no public concession stands, fans must practice social distancing and kids must wear masks in dugouts.
Ainsworth said these are optional and if someone feels the safety protocol is not what they or if they are at risk, they don’t have to go.
“This isn’t going to be a perfect plan,” Ainsworth said. “We have to learn together. We’ve got to get our economy going and do it in a safe way.”
The entire plan can be found at: ltgov.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Reopening-Alabama-Responsibility-Phase-1.pdf