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City of Birmingham’s shelter-in-place order has been extended to April 30

Birmingham, Alabama (April 3, 2020) –Mayor Randall L. Woodfin’s request to extend the city’s shelter-in-place ordinance to April 30 to help curb the spread of the coronavirus was approved today, April 3, with a vote by the Birmingham City Council.

Gov. Kay Ivey on Friday also issued a Stay at Home order to be applied statewide. The order will be effective beginning Saturday, April 4, at 5:00 p.m. and will expire Thursday, April 30, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.

The state stay-at-home order also addresses “big box’’ stores, saying that occupancy in such stores shall be limited to no more than 50 percent of the normal occupancy load as determined by the fire marshal. Read the full state order here.

“Let’s be safe and do what’s necessary to shelter in place during the month of April so we can get back to our normal way of living,’’ said Mayor Woodfin. “I am convinced that if we attempt to tip toe around this, skirt around this ordinance and try to live like we lived before COVID-19, then we will have to extend … the shelter in place because we are not taking this seriously.”

Mayor Woodfin also noted that only solo activities such as biking, running and walking will be allowed at Birmingham parks. Simply hanging out at the park is prohibited. Park visitors must keep at least six feet between each other when partaking in these exercises. Social distancing will be strictly enforced. Visitors should not use playgrounds.

Such limits for the city parks developed after there were weekend reports of large groups hanging out in and outside of their cars at city parks, including at the city’s destination parks of George Ward Park, Avondale Park, East Lake Park and Patton Park.

“We do not want to have to police every situation. We want, and more importantly, we need our residents to self-police themselves,’’ the mayor said.

Mayor Woodfin also encouraged people to practice social distancing at “big box” stores, where crowds of shoppers have tended to gather.

“We are at a critical time in our city’s history right now, and we want to do whatever we can to limit the spread of this virus. If people cannot practice social distancing at the parks, they should not visit the parks,’’ Mayor Woodfin said.  “My message is simple. Let’s do what’s necessary to protect all the citizens in Alabama.’’