JeffCO Department of Health orders retail and salons to close to combat COVID-19

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Birmingham, Trussville, Salon Blonde, salons
Kate Pollard, Salon Blonde. Photo by Patience Itson for Bham Now

In a stern message last night, Jefferson County Health Officer Mark Wilson  announced that he was amending his March 19th public health order to include the closing of non-essential retail stores, barbershops and hair salons by today at 5:00pm.

Admitting that there had been some confusion pertaining to his first order that was released on March 19th, Wilson made no excuses for why he was clarifying and expanding the previous order.

He stated.

“This is a matter of life and death.”

Wilson went on to describe the amendments to the March 19th order:

Here is the video and  word for word transcript below:

“Effective Monday, March 23rd at 5:00pm, all barbershops and hair salons are ordered to close. Both for the safety of the patrons and the hair care professionals. There simply is no way to maintain safe social distancing.

Also on March 23rd at 5:00pm all non-essential retail stores are ordered to close. This does not include grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, hardware and building supply, technology and office supplies. I’m aware many people are asking questions about what is essential or not, but this is not a time to look for loopholes.

I simply cannot list each and every business, so I need your help, using good judgement to do everything you can to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

March 23rd Order

To see the amended March 23rd order – read it  – HERE.

Here is a screenshot of the order listing which retail estblishments are prohibited.  Be mindful, because he can’t list everyone, Wilson is asking businesses to use their good judgement.

JeffCo Health Order Retail JeffCO Department of Health orders retail and salons to close to combat COVID-19
Screenshot of the amended March 19 Jefferson County Department of Health order

The Department of Health has also published infographs explaining the orders.

Bham Now will be seeking on Monday answers to questions like – does the new order impact online orders or curbside delivery?

Want more info?

Stay up to date with Jefferson County’s efforts and Department of Health updates by texting  –  INFOJEFFCO to 888777

Also – continue to follow Bham Now – and feel free to fill out and share our forms on local businesses and nonprofits for future FREE guides we are developing

Pat Byington
Pat Byington

Longtime conservationist. Former Executive Director at the Alabama Environmental Council and Wild South. Publisher of the Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years. Career highlights include playing an active role in the creation of Alabama's Forever Wild program, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Dugger Mountain Wilderness, preservation of special places throughout the East through the Wilderness Society and the strengthening (making more stringent) the state of Alabama's cancer risk and mercury standards.

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