Looking to limit unnecessary public gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic, police in Huntsville today forced at least 20 businesses that were violating a state health order to close their stores to the public.

The names of the businesses weren’t released, but Lt. Michael Johnson, a Huntsville police spokesman, said the businesses include large corporate retailers, like big box stores.

The police department hasn’t issued any citations, Johnson said, but if the businesses reopen their stores tomorrow, officers will start issuing tickets with fines of up to $500.

Alabama, as of Friday, ordered the closure of numerous venues and businesses, including all sorts of retail stores. Specifically, furniture stores, clothing and shoe stores, jewelry and luggage shops, book and music stores, department stores and sporting good stores were all required to close.

Johnson said the stores can still sell their merchandise if they deliver orders curbside, but customers can’t be allowed inside.

Today is the first day Huntsville officers have taken actions against businesses in the city. The department’s goal, Johnson said, has been to educate the public about how to comply with the order, rather than enforce it with citations.

“Many of these businesses thought they were complying with the state health order,” Johnson said. “Some were misinterpretations, or they just didn’t understand.”

For example, the state health order prohibits sporting goods stores from opening to the public, but many of those stores also sell guns. And gun stores have been deemed essential businesses that aren’t required to close. Johnson said because sporting goods stores aren’t primarily in the gun business, they aren’t considered essential.

“This really goes back to common sense,” he said. “It’s about limiting exposure to COVID-19.”

Huntsville Police is starting to get calls of businesses and other organizations not following the Governor's Health... Posted by Huntsville Police Department on Monday, March 30, 2020

The state health order, which was issued by Gov. Kay Ivey, sorted “non-essential” businesses into four broad categories: entertainment venues; athletic facilities and activities; close contact service providers; and retail stores. Several specific types are listed under each. The order doesn’t require the closure of offices or workplaces that are not on the list.

[Here’s a list of non-essential businesses]

Johnson said anyone who wants to report a Huntsville business suspected of violating the health order should contact the police department’s non-emergency dispatch line at 256-722-7100.

Updated at 6:48 p.m.: Huntsville police clarified that the businesses are still allowed to operate with curbside delivery, but most close the inside of their stores to the public.