By Zach Hester, Reporter • zach@southerntorch.com
ALABAMA — On Friday afternoon, Governor Kay Ivey (R-Ala.) officially issued a "stay-at-home" order for Alabama residents. The order will go into effect on Saturday at 5 p.m.
Alabama residents are instructed to stay-at-home unless doing the following:
- To obtain necessary supplies
- To obtain or provide necessary services
- To attend religious services (provided they have 10 people or less in attendance, can maintain a six-foot distance or is a drive-in service)
- To take care of others
- To work
- To engage in outdoor activity
- To seek shelter
- To travel as required by law
- To visit family members
"You need to understand we are past urging people to stay at home," said Ivey. "It is now the law."
Previously, Ivey placed the state under statewide emergency health orders that closed public schools for the rest of the school year, closed non-essential businesses, and prohibited public gatherings of 10 or more.
Before today's announcement, Alabama was just one of a handful of states without a stay-at-home order.
To read the full stay-at-home order issued today, or to determine what is considered an "essential business," please see the attached order below. (Order courtesy of al.com)