Alabama restricts beaches, restaurants and day cares to contain coronavirus spreading
As the number of new coronavirus cases rise during what is normally peak time for spring break visitors, Alabama’s governor is closing public beaches to slow down the spread of the disease.
The Alabama Department of Health on Thursday confirmed 68 cases in the state, a 48% increase in 24 hours.
“We believe we have community transmission across the state,” state health official Scott Harris said on the state’s livestream Thursday.
That means people in Alabama are catching the virus from each other, and not just from travelers. Mississippi also has local transmission, the governor has said.
With the new numbers came multiple closures and new public health orders, including closing public beaches at 5 p.m. Thursday.
AL.com showed hundreds of spring breakers flooding beaches in Orange Beach this week, despite the calls for social distancing from federal and state officials. Spring break destination spots like Gulf Shores took action before the state mandate.
“Closing Alabama beaches is not a simple decision but one that I came to with the consultation of our elected officials along the coast and members of my administration,” Ivey said in a statement.
“I have decided to close beach access in any form. Since we do not want to promote social gatherings, keeping the beaches open sends the wrong message to the public. At this moment, the safety and well being of Alabamians is paramount.”
Mississippi has not addressed the closure of beaches, but Gov. Tate Reeves has asked Mississippians to stay home and practice social distancing. He included social gatherings, such as church, to help “flatten the curve.”
Harrison County alone has 26 miles of public beaches, and tourists are not typically as concentrated on the Mississippi beaches as they are in Alabama and Florida.
Alabama also has restricted restaurants to take-out or delivery only. Bars or businesses that do not serve food will be asked to close by 5 p.m. Thursday. In Mississippi, the city of Jackson also made that decision Wednesday.
Alabama is also closing childcare and preschools (with some exceptions).
Reeves announced Thursday that Mississippi schools will be closed until mid-April as the state evaluates the cornavirus week-to-week.