A group of lawmakers and business leaders advising Gov. Kay Ivey issued a report today recommending that restaurants, retail stores, barber shops, and other businesses reopen immediately under special social distancing guidelines.

Ivey released a statement in response to the report indicating she does not plan to take any immediate action on the recommendations.

The Small Business Emergency Task Force, led by Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth and state Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, released its report called Reopen Alabama Responsibly.

The report doesn’t change anything yet, it’s only a set of recommendations.

Read the report

The Small Business Emergency Task Force is one of several groups the governor asked to help plan an incremental approach to ramping up the economy as the state continues to adjust its response to the coronavirus pandemic.

“I’ve already sent this report to the Executive Committee of the Coronavirus Task Force, which I created, and I know they will begin looking at these suggestions and start plugging them in, where appropriate, as we weigh all our options about opening up the economy,” Ivey said in a statement today.

“On a call with the president and vice president yesterday, President Trump made it clear that this will be a gradual process, even as he said that our nation’s governors will be responsible for leading these efforts and that his Administration will continue to stand by us as we do this.

“Consistent with what we’ve been saying all along, the president made it clear that the return to ‘normal’ won’t be a quick or simple process. We will need to see declining cases – and stronger testing – over at least 14-days – to make certain we don’t see a return in the spike up of the infection.

“In addition to the report from the Small Business Commission, I also look forward receiving reports from our seven members of Congress by the middle of next week. We’re also getting feedback from the mayors of our 10 largest cities – as well as a lot of other good suggestions – and our Executive Committee is already looking into many different ideas and plans. No good idea will be tossed aside, but even as we look at every way we can to reopen the economy, we’re going to need to continue to maintain social distancing and other health measures to ensure the virus doesn’t flare up again."

Here are some related stories on Friday’s recommendations:

Alabama doctors offices open up in May, plan recommends

As Alabama looks to reopen, state health official says people need to stay home

Masks and temperature checks? Rules vary by business in Alabama’s plan to reopen

When will beaches reopen?

‘Is it safe?’ Uncertainty looms despite proposal to reopen Alabama salons, tattoo shops

Could youth sports really resume in Alabama on May 11?

Small businesses optimistic with recommendations to re-open; caution urged

On April 3, Ivey issued a stay-at-home order that is in effect until April 30. A prohibition on restaurants serving customers on site and on certain categories of retailers being open are among the many restrictions now in place. On Tuesday, Ivey said the stay-at-home order and social distancing guidelines were working and urged Alabamians to continue to follow them. The governor said she and State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris would review recommendations no later than April 28 and develop a plan for any possible changes to the stay-at-home order.

A few weeks ago, Ainsworth called for a more urgent response to the pandemic and cited numbers showing the potential for a rapid rise to a caseload that could overwhelm the state’s health care system.

Today, he said the numbers have improved considerably since April 3, allowing the possibility for some restrictions to be lifted providing specific guidelines are followed.

“Obviously this virus is deadly, it’s dangerous, but our committee believes there is a way to safely reopen the Alabama economy and get people working responsibly," Ainsworth said at a State House press conference.

“We believe there’s a way to safely open restaurants with limited capacity and proper spacing,” Ainsworth said.

The protective measures for restaurants would include seating customers at least six feet apart and no more than six per table. Social distancing standards would apply in waiting areas. Tables and seating would be sanitized after each customer. There would be no condiments left on tables and menus would have to be disposable for one-time use or cleaned after each use if laminated. Drink refills would be in new glasses or cups. Restaurants would post signs saying that no one with fever or COVID-19 symptoms would be admitted.

Ainsworth said the recommendation on reopening restaurants did not apply to bars. But he later said he was not opposed to bars reopening if they can follow the same social distancing guidelines as restaurants.

Garrett said members of the Small Business Emergency Task Force talked to hundreds of business owners across the state and found many on the verge of bankruptcy. Garrett said businesses were generally eager to reopen but committed to doing so safely.

The report said 306,000 Alabamians have filed unemployment claims since March 16, more than twice the number that filed claims in all of 2019.

“We know there’s a mortality rate associated with COVID-19 and we understand the seriousness in that," Garrett said. "But there’s also mortality rates and health impacts from dire financial crisis. And so we’re concerned about this and it’s important that we move forward to reopen our economy as safely and as soon as possible.”

For every category of business covered in the recommendations, the report lists what steps are taken to protect employees, protect customers, and prevent the spread of the virus.

Ainsworth said the group recommends allowing retailers such as clothing stores to reopen while following the same rules that have allowed big-box stores to stay open during the pandemic, limiting their customers to half the normal occupancy rate or to eight customers per 1,000 square feet, as well as following other precautions.

“We believe that smaller stores equal smaller risk," Ainsworth said.

Categories of retailers the group recommended reopening immediately include department stores and those that sell clothing, furniture, shoes, sporting goods, books, crafts, and other items.

The group also recommended reopening jewelry stores immediately and including a special set of protective guidelines because of the nature of the business with close interaction with customers.

The report recommends immediate reopening of “close contact services,” which include barber shops, hair salons, nail salons, waxing salons, tattoo parlors, and massage therapy businesses. The 162-page report includes specific restrictions they would have to operate under.

The report calls for reopening the state’s beaches on May 1. But that would be only for activities like walking, running, swimming, and fishing. Congregating on the beach with chairs and umbrellas would not be allowed.

The report suggested further easing of beach restrictions on May 15 to allow gatherings of up to 10 people.

The task force recommended reopening medical practices on May 1. It also recommended the same date for dentists, oral surgeons, physical therapists, and optometrists.

May 1 is also the recommended opening date for casinos, exercise facilities, museums, and planetariums. The task force recommends allowing youth sports leagues to start on May 11.

Ainsworth said the return of youth baseball and softball would be beneficial. He said some national groups have recommended the May 11 date and also some specific guidelines, like no public concession stands and kids wearing masks while in dugouts.

“I think when you look at our kids, and giving them hope, and our national pastime this summer, youth baseball is something that can certainly give us hope, as well as potentially other sports that can maybe be done safely. But baseball being outside, we think there’s a way to safely do that,” Ainsworth said. .

In addition, the report includes guidelines to protect employees, customers and to slow the spread of the virus in businesses that remain open, including pharmacies, residential and commercial real estate sales, manufacturing, and agriculture.

Business Council of Alabama President Katie Boyd Britt released a statement supporting the report. Britt is a member of the task force.

“BCA is proud to be a part of the great work being done by the Alabama Small Business Commission Emergency Task Force," Britt said. "The recommendations made in the Reopen Alabama Responsibly plan are a critical first step in revitalizing Alabama’s economy and getting citizens back to work in a safe and responsible manner.”