Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson has met with owners of some of the businesses which remain closed under Governor Kay Ivey’s new public health order, and he believes they should be able to open.
Ivey announced the new public health order at a press conference on Tuesday. The order goes into effect at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday.
Under Ivey’s order, retail businesses will now be able to operate at 50% capacity and medical facilities may perform elective surgeries.
In a social media post on Tuesday night, Stimpson explained, “after meeting with many of our local barbers, beauticians and restaurant owners, I believe that they should be allowed to re-open under strict sanitation guidelines.”
After meeting with many of our local barbers, beauticians and restaurant owners, I believe that they should be allowed to re-open under strict sanitation guidelines.
— Mayor Sandy Stimpson (@MayorStimpson) April 29, 2020
He also verified that he has asked Ivey to reconsider her order preventing the opening of those businesses.
We have asked the Governor to reconsider her order as it relates to those businesses, and we are hopeful that they will be able to return to work soon.
— Mayor Sandy Stimpson (@MayorStimpson) April 29, 2020
Excluded businesses eager to open continue making preparations for the day they get the go-ahead from state government.
A beauty salon in Auburn posted Tuesday night a video showing the elaborate social distancing and sanitizing measures it has put in place in preparation to reopen.
Ivey’s order reopens certain businesses included in the White House’s “Phase One” reopening, such as some non-essential retail and elective medical procedures. It excludes others the White House places in the same category, including restaurants, movie theaters and places of worship.
Stimpson has sought to maintain a balanced approach to the COVID-19 crisis.
In the early days of the pandemic, he outlined that his “first and foremost concern is the health of our citizens,” while also cautioning, “[W]e can’t let the health crisis become an economic crisis more than what it already is.”
Tim Howe is an owner of Yellowhammer Multimedia
Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to have Alabama’s leading headlines delivered to your inbox.