Emergency order extended for bars, restaurants

Montgomery, Ala. - The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board issued an emergency order for Alabama businesses selling and serving alcohol, extending a previous order issued in May. The “Enforcement of State Health Officer Orders on ABC Licensed Premises” was unanimously adopted Tuesday at a virtual emergency meeting. The statewide enforcement comes days after Mayor Walt Maddox called out Tuscaloosa bars for not adhering to social distancing and capacity restrictions. Maddox shutdown Tuscaloosa bars last month after failing to adhere to restrictions when University of Alabama students returned to the area.

The statewide order requires businesses to follow six rules or risk having their license immediately suspended:

1. 50 percent capacity maximum;

2. face coverings must be worn by both patrons and staff except when eating, ordering, or seated outside;

3. six feet separation must be maintained between guests and groups;

4. walk-up service must have a designated area and social distancing;

5. hand sanitizing stations placed at all entrances and;

6. fixtures and surfaces must be cleaned according to the State Health Officer’s guidelines.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has remained steady in recent weeks. Alabama Department of Public Health reported more than 2,000 cases on a single day last week but blamed the number on labs reporting cases in bulk. Since March, approximately 153,000 cases and 2,500 deaths have been reported. The statewide mask order has been extended through Friday, Oct. 2.