Alabama Issues “Stay-At-Home” Order Effective Saturday, April 4 at 5:00 PM
Prepared by David B. Walston
Sunday, April 5, 2020
What does the Order mean for Alabama employers? It means that if you operate a type of business specifically listed in the Order, your employees may continue coming to work
The list of businesses allowed to operate is lengthy and conspicuous for its breadth.
To Perform Work At Essential Businesses and operations
- Government operations
- Healthcare providers and caregivers
- Infrastructure operations
- Manufacturing facilities
- Agricultural operations and farms
- Essential retailers
- Supermarkets
- Food and beverage stores – including liquor and warehouse clubs
- Food providers
- Convenience stores
- Bookstores
- Computer stores
- Pharmacies and health care supply stores
- Hardware and home improvement stores
- Building material, including electrical, plumbing and heating supplies Gun stores
- Gas stations
- Auto, farm equipment, bicycle, motorcycle, and boat supply or repair stores
- Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, and goods directly to residences
- Restaurants and bars
- Essential personal services
- Trash collection
- Mail and shipping services
- Home repair
- Warehouse, distribution and fulfillment centers
- Veterinaries, kennels and animal shelters
- Laundromat/laundry service, dry-cleaners
- Childcare facilities
- Public transportation
- Providers of security, payroll, funeral, cemetery services
- Financial, legal, accounting, insurance, and real estate services
- Construction and construction-related services
- Lumber and building materials
- Hardware
- Skilled tradesmen – electrical, plumbing, painters, etc. Exterminators
- Cleaning and janitorial
- HVAC and water heating businesses
- Moving and relocation services
- Religious entities1
- Federally-designated critical infrastructure (See CISA guidance)
- Support operations for essential businesses and operations
- Employees, contractors, agents, suppliers, or vendors
OR
To perform essential work-related activities
1. Activities to maintain the value of a business such as managing inventory, ensuring security, processing payroll, and employee benefits.
2. Activities to enable people to work or shop remotely from residences or to allow the purchase of products through drive-by, curbside or door-to-door delivery;
3. Activities that do not require regular interaction within 6 feet of another person.
Conclusion
Many of our clients asked us to prepare travel authorizations in anticipation of the Shelter-in-Place Order but these authorizations are not necessary for travel in Alabama. Businesses can, but are not required to, issue credentials to employees. However, other States or localities may require authorizations or credentials so it may be a wise practice to issue any employee you anticipate may travel outside of Alabama an authorization.
The Order is remarkable for its detail and there is not much need for interpretation. However, if you have questions about whether your employees are still allowed to leave their homes to report to work, we are available to consult with you.
1Religious services and observations are restricted by number of participants and maintenance of distance between participants.
About Christian & Small LLP
Christian & Small LLP represents a diverse clientele throughout Alabama, the Southeast and the nation with clients ranging from individuals and closely-held businesses to Fortune 500 corporations. By matching highly experienced lawyers with specific client needs, Christian & Small develops innovative, effective and efficient solutions for clients. Christian & Small focuses on the areas of litigation and business and is a member of the International Society of Primerus Law Firms and the only Alabama member firm in the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity. Please visit www.csattorneys.com for more information, or contact David (dbwalston@csattorneys.com).
No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.