(April 28) Cautiously aggressive reopening.
That’s probably the best way to describe the plan Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced on Tuesday for the state’s next moves in response to the coronavirus crisis. She didn’t use that phrase — she called it “easing back into our routines with caution” — but no matter what one calls it, the plan appears to strike just the right balance.
Indeed, it probably could and should serve as a model for states of similar population densities. It came after what Ivey described as a “thoughtful, methodical process” involving a specially appointed committee, it was guided by data, and unlike Georgia’s “reopening” last week, it was done in consultation with the White House as well.
Beginning at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Alabama’s stay-at-home order will be replaced with a “Safer at Home” directive. It rolls back many of the legally enforceable restrictions while still urging people to continue practices of hand-washing, hygiene, safe distancing, and wearing masks. It continues to urge people to stay home unless truly necessary and strongly recommends “remote working” when at all possible. It also continues to keep closed all indoor entertainment venues, salons and barbershops, tattoo parlors, and other venues involving close contact or lingering patrons and continues to allow restaurants to be open for takeout and delivery only, with no dine-in seating — either indoors or out.
But all other retail establishments will now be allowed to reopen if they remain below 50% capacity at any one time while maintaining appropriate, 6-foot-plus distancing. Beaches and other outdoor venues will reopen as long as those rules are observed and there are no gatherings of more than 10 people. Elective medical procedures and dentistry will resume, but only under careful observance of guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.ainment venues, salons and barbershops, tattoo parlors, and other venues involving close contact or lingering patrons and continues to allow restaurants to be open for takeout and delivery only, with no dine-in seating — either indoors or out.’….
[The full column is at this link.]