COVID-19 updates for Birmingham + surrounding areas

With social distancing, business closures and shelter-in-place ordinances, it’s important to stay up-to-date on rules and regulations regarding COVID-19. Here are some must-knows for Birmingham and its surrounding cities.

City of Birmingham

To combat COVID-19, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin enacted a shelter-in-place ordinance for the city of Birmingham—the first city in Alabama to do so.

Under the ordinance, Birmingham city limit residents are asked to remain at home and only leave for essential purposes. What constitutes an essential reason to leave the house?

• Visiting essential businesses like grocery stores, financial institutions and gas stations.
• Retrieving curbside pickup from restaurants.
• Attending doctor’s appointments.
• Exercising outside, including biking, hiking and running—as long as six feet of social distancing is used.

Shelter-in-Place Order: YES
Non-Essential Businesses: CLOSED
City of Birmingham Offices: CLOSED
Birmingham Libraries: CLOSED
Birmingham Parks: CLOSED. Walking trails OPEN.
Garbage/Trash Pickup: YES
Birmingham City Schools: CLOSED
Non-work gatherings of ten or more people: NOT PERMITTED
Non-work gatherings of less than ten people: NOT PERMITTED
6 foot distance between persons: YES

For updates from Jefferson County and the Department of Health regarding COVID-19, text BHAMCOVID to 888-777.

City of Birmingham: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

City of Bessemer

“I am urging all residents of Bessemer to follow guidelines related to halting the spread of COVID-19 and to shelter-in-place to the greatest extent possible through at least April 6.” 

Kenneth Gulley, Mayor, Bessemer

Shelter in Place Order: NO
Non-Essential Businesses: CLOSED
City of Bessemer Offices: CLOSED
Bessemer Library: CLOSED
Bessemer Parks: CLOSED. Walking trails OPEN.
Garbage/Trash Pickup: YES
Bessemer City Schools: CLOSED
Non-work gatherings of ten or more people: NOT PERMITTED
Non-work gatherings of less than ten people: NOT PERMITTED
6 foot distance between persons: YES

City of Bessemer: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

City of Gardendale

“I urge you to stay at home as much as possible. This means limiting or avoiding physical contact with friends, family and strangers where the transmission of COVID-19 can occur.” 

Stan Hogeland, Mayor, Gardendale

Shelter in Place Order: NO
Non-Essential Businesses: CLOSED
City of Gardendale Offices: CLOSED
Gardendale Libraries: CLOSED
Gardendale Parks: CLOSED. Walking trails OPEN.
Garbage/Trash Pickup: YES
Gardendale City Schools: CLOSED
Non-work gatherings of ten or more people: NOT PERMITTED
Non-work gatherings of less than ten people: NOT PERMITTED
6 foot distance between persons: YES

City of Gardendale: Website | Facebook | Twitter

City of Homewood

Shelter-in-Place Order: NO
Non-Essential Businesses: CLOSED
City of Homewood Offices: CLOSED
Homewood Library: CLOSED
Homewood Parks: CLOSED. Walking trails OPEN.
Garbage/Trash Pickup: YES
Homewood City Schools: CLOSED
Non-work gatherings of ten or more people: NOT PERMITTED
Non-work gatherings of less than ten people: NOT PERMITTED
6 foot distance between persons: YES

City of Homewood: Website | Facebook | Twitter

City of Hoover

“At this time, the City of Hoover has no plans to enact a shelter-in-place ordinance, but we do urge everyone to continue with all precautions including social distancing and limitation of activities outside your home.”

Frank Brocato, Mayor, Hoover

Shelter in Place Order: NO
Non-Essential Businesses: CLOSED
City of Hoover Offices: CLOSED
Hoover Library: CLOSED
Hoover Parks: CLOSED. Walking trails OPEN.
Garbage/Trash Pickup: YES
Hoover City Schools: CLOSED
Non-work gatherings of ten or more people: NOT PERMITTED
Non-work gatherings of less than ten people: NOT PERMITTED
6 foot distance between persons: YES

For Hoover updates and info on COVID-19, text HOOVERCOVID to 888-777.

City of Hoover: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

City of Pelham

“I would like to thank everyone for helping us to serve you better. I can tell by the low volume of traffic on the highway that many of you are making a genuine effort to stay at home. During this time of “Social Distancing” the safest place for you to be is at home. If you will stay at home, wash your hands and check on your neighbors, we will get through this thing.”

Gary W. Waters, Mayor, Pelham

Shelter-in-Place Order: NO
Non-Essential Businesses: CLOSED
City of Homewood Offices: CLOSED
Pelham Public Libraries: CLOSED
Pelham Parks: CLOSED. Walking trails OPEN.
Garbage/Trash Pickup: YES
Pelham City Schools: CLOSED
Non-work gatherings of ten or more people: NOT PERMITTED
Non-work gatherings of less than ten people: NOT PERMITTED
6 foot distance between persons: YES

For questions regarding the City of Pelham’s response to COVID-19, email. 

City of Pelham: Website | Facebook | Instagram

City of Trussville

“Birmingham’s decision to pass a “shelter in place” ordinance does not affect Trussville residents or businesses. We will continue to work along side of the Jefferson County Health Department and State Health Department officials as to their orders and recommendations. I have no plans at this time to ask the city council to consider a ‘shelter-in-place’ ordinance.”

Buddy Choat, Mayor, Trussville

Shelter in Place Order: NO
Non-Essential Businesses: CLOSED
City of Bessemer Offices: CLOSED
Trussville Library: CLOSED
Trussville Parks: CLOSED. Walking trails OPEN.
Garbage/Trash Pickup: YES
Trussville City Schools: CLOSED
Non-work gatherings of ten or more people: NOT PERMITTED
Non-work gatherings of less than ten people: NOT PERMITTED
6 foot distance between persons: YES

City of Trussville: Website | Facebook | Instagram

Want to help local businesses and nonprofits in Birmingham during the COVID-19 pandemic? Learn more.