Mobile is cracking down on the amount of people inside big box retail stores in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19.

The effort was unveiled Tuesday by Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson, and somewhat mirrors more aggressive efforts going on elsewhere such as Huntsville, which recently required 20 businesses to close to the public after police found the were in violation of the state health order.

Stimpson’s executive order, which is effective at 7 a.m. on Thursday, limits the crowd inside a store to 40% of capacity that was previously determined by the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department. For instance, if a store has a capacity of 500 people at one time, only 200 will be allowed at once.

“That is really directed at our big boxes,” said Stimpson. “This gives the big boxes time to determine what is their capacity and to monitor and control the number of people inside your stores.”

The order is aimed at controlling the size of crowds inside big box retailers like Lowe’s, Home Depot, Costco, Walmart and Target. Grocery stores like Greer’s, Rouses, Publix and others are also included in the order.

“We are following the outlines of some other states who have done this before us,” said Stimpson during an afternoon news conference. “We hope it addresses the need.”

Stimpson said he could lower the capacity number down to 25%, if needed. He said that businesses will be charged with figuring out how to control the number of people allowed inside at one time.

Stores in Mobile have been told to put lines on the ground to distance people near checkout lines. For instance, Target and other stores have placed tape on the floors to keep people six feet apart, which is the current guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control for proper social distancing.

The move comes as Alabama continues to battle a rapid rise in confirmed cases. As of Tuesday, there were just under 1,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Alabama, with 52 in Mobile County.

“The whole purpose is to make sure we have proper social distancing in these stores,” Stimpson said.