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The order will be in effect from April 4 at 5 p.m. through April 30.
On Friday, April 3, Governor Kay Ivey issued a Stay at Home order to be applied statewide. It will go into effect Saturday, April 4, at 5 p.m. and will expire Thursday, April 30, 2020 at 5 p.m. On that date, it will be determined whether to extend, or if circumstances permit, to relax this order.
In a speech streamed live from Montgomery, Ivey said Alabama is seeing an increasing number of positive tests every day. There were over 160 new positives yesterday and likely a greater number today. At least 34 people in Alabama have died from COVID-19, and the youngest was 33 years old.
Ivey has been trying to find the right balance and not overreact, she said.
“Today, I’m convinced previous efforts to limit social interaction have not been enough,” Ivey said. “That’s why we are taking this more drastic step.”
She said the expected surge in hospitalization will occur in two to three weeks, and those patients are the ones who will become infected in the next few days.
Over 200 healthcare workers have been infected, and there have been outbreaks in multiple nursing homes that have led to deaths.
The U.S. now has twice as many cases as any other country and has 1/4 of all cases worldwide. For each of last two days, the country has had over 1,000 deaths.
As of 5 p.m. Friday, Alabama had 9.601 people tested, 1,495 confirmed cases, 38 reported deaths and 21 of those confirmed to be from coronavirus.
"COVID-19 is an imminent threat to our way of life,” Ivey said. “We are past urging people to stay home — it is now the law. I plead with you and I urge you in the strongest way possible to stay home. We’ve got to take this order very seriously, otherwise it's a fact more people will die.”
People can still go out to get groceries and medicines and pick up to-go orders from restaurants.
Some people and companies can continue to be out and work and are considered essential, all of which are outlined in new order here.
Every person is ordered to stay at his or her place of residence except as necessary to perform any of the following “essential activities” which include:
- to obtain necessary supplies: including food, supplies needed to work from home, prescriptions, gas, materials for distance learning or any other supplies necessary to maintain a person or pet’s daily routine.
- to obtain or provide necessary services: which include dental, medical or surgical procedures, government-funded services or benefits, automobile repair, services vital to treatment or are of people with developmental disabilities or substance-use orders,
- to attend religious services: a worship service, wedding or funeral if it involves fewer than 10 people with a six-foot distance
- to take care of others
- to work: if they have a job that is “essential businesses and operations”
- to engage in outdoor activity: A person may leave their residence to participate in outdoor activities that involve fewer than 10 people with a six-foot distance
- to seek shelter: if their residence is unsafe
- to travel as required by law: including transportation of children required by a custody agreement
- to see a family member
There will be consequences for those who violate this order. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said that under the Public Health Act it is a public misdemeanor with a fine up to $500, and every day of violation would be a new offense.
“If we want to be healthy this summer, we need to take this action today,” she said.
