Coronavirus Shelter-In-Place Order In Birmingham: What It Means

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin announced Tuesday that his city-wide shelter-in-place order was unanimously approved by the Birmingham City Council. The ordinance, passed to help curb the spread of the new coronavirus, includes a variety of restrictions for residents in regard to when and for what they may leave their homes.

Under the ordinance —which runs through April 3 — residents will be asked to remain at home and only leave for essential purposes.

Those purposes include:

• Work
• Visiting essential businesses like grocery stores, financial institutions and gas stations
• Retrieving curbside pickup from restaurants
• Attending doctor’s appointments
• Exercising outside — including biking, hiking and running – as long as they stay at least 6 feet away from others

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If a business or place of employment is not specifically listed as non-essential by the Jefferson County Health Department, then that organization is cleared to operate by practicing social distancing and health protocols as stated by the Jefferson County Health Department. In those cases, if businesses decide to continue offering services they should use their best judgment to keep their employees and patrons safe, which may include teleworking.

Read the full ordinance here.

"One of the things we absolutely understand about this threat to public health is that, for the immediate future, it will remain a rapidly changing situation," Woodfin said in a statement Tueaday. "As such, minimizing its effects to the greatest extent possible — in other words, keeping both the people of Birmingham and our city’s economy healthy — will require a high degree of communication, cooperation and coordination."

City leaders in surrounding municipalities have had mixed reactions to Birmingham's ordinance. Hoover mayor Frank Brocato issued a statement Tuesday evening shortly after new broke about the Birmingham order.

"I have been getting calls from Hoover residents asking if Hoover will (enact a shelter-in-place order)," Brocato said. "At this time, Hoover has no plans to enact a shelter-in-place ordinance. But we do urge everyone to continue with all precautions, including social distancing."

Mountain Brook mayor Stewart Welch said while the city has not discussed an official ordinance, he recommends that Mountain Brook residents stay at home unless absolutely neccessary. Welch issued a statement Tuesday, saying, "I stand by Jefferson County Department of Health's Dr. Mark Wilson, and say stay home as much as possible. This means limiting or avoiding physical contact with friends, family and strangers to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We encourage you to get fresh and and exercise, but we must alter our routines."

The state has reported 242 cases of COVID-19, with 91 of those cases located in Jefferson County. Schools in the state are scheduled to re-open April 6, but State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey said he will make an official announcement Thursday regarding procedures for school openings.

SEE ALSO:

3 Birmingham Restaurants To Close Permanently
UAB To Begin Coronavirus Testing Monday
Coronavirus: Non-Essential Jefferson County Businesses To Close