New Measures Taken To Reduce The Coronavirus In Alabama

Out of an abundance of caution, officials with the Alabama Department of Health issued updated guidelines Tuesday to aid in Alabama’s efforts to flatten the curve during the coronavirus pandemic.

For Jefferson and surrounding counties, which includes, Walker, Blount, St. Clair and Shelby, ADPH officials say they are recommending against gatherings of 25 persons or more where a six-foot distance cannot be maintained.

“Alabamians living in Jefferson County and its surrounding counties are currently the most vulnerable to contracting the coronavirus,” Governor Kay Ivey said. “I ask that Alabamians who live in these counties adhere to these regulations and would urge the rest of our state to do so as well, in order to mitigate the impact of the virus.”

Additionally, any restaurant, bar, brewery or Category 3 food service establishment shall not permit on-premise consumption of food or drink for one week, officials said. This order will be reevaluated at the end of one week. ADPH is also strongly encouraging other counties across the state to adhere to these same guidelines.

“I am encouraged to see so many of our citizens voluntarily self-regulate by practicing social-distancing – choosing to be safe rather than sorry is always the smart move. We should not take precautionary measures for granted, but I encourage everyone to remember the old adage ‘this too shall pass.’ Adhering to smart protocol and practicing a little patience will pull us through.”

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