A Message from Mayor Stimpson May 8, 2020
May 8th, 2020
Good evening,
It is 8:00 p.m. on Friday, May 8 and I am writing to give you an update on the City of Mobile's efforts regarding COVID-19.
As of tonight, there are 1,403 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Mobile County, out of 10,132 total tests. There are 81 deaths attributed to the virus.
What a week! The big news today was the much-anticipated announcement by Gov. Kay Ivey allowing restaurants, bars, gyms and other "close-contact" businesses such as barber shops and hair salons to reopen on Monday, May 11.
Many of those businesses have been closed under orders by the State of Alabama since March 19. The order was imposed by the Alabama Department of Public Health to contain the spread of COVID-19.
These restrictions were effective in reducing the stress on our health care system, but they caused a tremendous hardship on businesses. We have worked closely with Gov. Ivey's Administration to develop a plan for them to safely re-open, and today's announcement was welcome news.
While today is a big step on the path toward recovery, we must remember that Coronavirus is still a very real threat to our community. Citizens are encouraged to stay home if possible and to follow good sanitation practices.
Details of Gov. Ivey's order are posted on the City of Mobile's web site by clicking here. https://www.cityofmobile.org/COVID-19/
A few highlights:
- Restaurants, bars and breweries may open with limited table seating, 6 feet between tables and subject to additional sanitation guidelines. Night clubs, theaters and bowling alleys remain closed.
- All retail stores may open subject to 50 percent occupancy rate, social distancing and sanitation rules as defined in the order
- Child day-care facilities may open but must not allow more than 12 children in a room
- Barber shops and salons may open subject to social distancing and sanitation rules
I don't know about you, but I am looking forward to visiting the barber shop! It also will be good to enjoy a meal in one of our local restaurants.
This afternoon I took a walk down Dauphin Street and was encouraged to see business owners already preparing to re-open next week. I celebrated by picking up strawberry ice cream cone from Three George's Candy Shop! I highly recommend it.
We still have a long way to go, and each of us has a responsibility to protect our own health as well as the health of our neighbors. I am grateful for the vigilance of our citizens which will be key to our continued recovery.
I want to close tonight by reminding you about one of the most important Sundays of the year - Mother's Day. Please remember your mother, and this may also be a good Sunday to "adopt a mother" and thank them for all they do to help us build a strong and bright future for our community.
I wish you a safe and restful weekend, and look forward to speaking with you again soon
Sincerely,
Mayor Sandy Stimpson