Alabama Stay-At-Home Order Expires April 30: Here's What's Next

MONTGOMERY, AL — Alabama's "stay-at-home" order will expire on Thursday and be replaced with a new "safer-at-home" order issued by Gov. Kay Ivey that allows some businesses to reopen while maintaining restrictions in place to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.

Ivey held a news conference to discuss updates on the coronavirus in the state on Tuesday, and announced the stay-at-home order would be lifted — with restrictions — April 30.

"What our citizens have done is working," Ivey said. "This has not been an easy process. However the people of Alabama are doing the hard things to insure we get back to the routines that bring us back to normal. Reopening Alabama's economy is not as simple as flipping a switch or snapping your fingers."

Ivey said after consulting medical experts she believes retail can reopen in the state, along with other businesses as part of a "safer-at-home" plan to replace the stay-at-home order that has been in effect since April 2.

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"On April 30 our current stay-at-home order will expire," Ivey said. "As of this week, we no longer think our hospitals will see an overload in its ICUs. Like everyone else, I would like to see us ease back into our social interactions with caution."

The order will be effective Thursday, April 30, at 5 p.m. and will expire on Friday, May 15, at 5 p.m.

The lifting of the stay-at-home order, now called a "safer-at-home" order, means:

• All individuals are asked to wear face coverings in public, and to continue proper hand washing and hygiene.
• Non work gatherings of 10 persons or more are prohibited.
• Employers should take reasonable steps to avoid gathering of 10 persons or more.
• All retail businesses will be allowed to open with a 50 percent occupancy rate.
• State beaches will be open.
• Elective medical procedures may resume.
• Entertainment venues and athletic facilities will remain closed
• Hair salons and other close-contact businesses will remain closed

"The threat of COVID-19 is not over," Ivey said. "The greatest disservice is to think that by lifting the comprehensive health restrictions that this is a sign that the threat of COVID-19 no longer exists."

Alabama Health Director Dr. Scott Harris said last week that Alabama had not met a White House recommendation of 14 days of declining cases before proceeding to the first phase of reopening, but has seen enough good signs to feel that reopening businesses would not pose a threat to spreading the virus.

Harris said the testing situation in the state continues to improve in all counties, not just in the more populated counties like Jefferson and Mobile.

"The first phase is the start of what we hope to be a multi-phased reopening of the economy," Ivey said. "Some will be upset it doesn't go further and some will be frustrated that it doesn't include their business."

Ivey said she and her task force will address the opening of restaurants and hair salons soon, but currently they will not allow these businesses to open fully.

"This is an Alabama plan developed by Alabamians with a concern for Alabama," Ivey said. "What neighboring states are doing was not a factor."

As far as religious services are concerned, pastor Jay Wolf said Alabama religious leaders suggest following the Center for Disease Control guidelines for returning to in-person services, and Alabama currently doesn't meet those guidelines.

"It is not yet safe and wise to gather in person," Wolf said.

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