The city of Birmingham now has a shelter in place ordinance that prevents people from leaving their homes except to report to their essential job, buy or pick up food or medicine, and exercise. The new ordinance is in place until 12 a.m. April 3. What does that mean?

The ordinance calls for residents to “shelter in place,” which means Birmingham residents should stay home.

“If your business is not on the nonessential list, you can keep operating. If your business is in the city limits of Birmingham is open today, it can remain open tomorrow. Your employees can still report to work,” Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said during the Tuesday afternoon council meeting. Woodfin said the ordinance is not closing any more businesses than have already been ordered closed by the Jefferson County Department of Health. SEE THE NONESSENTIAL LIST

Violating the ordinance could cost you up to 30 days in jail and/or paying a fine of up to $500.

What does the ordinance allow and not allow? Here’s some frequently asked questions:

Who does this apply to? The ordinance applies to residents and businesses in the boundaries of the city of Birmingham. Here are maps of the Birmingham city boundaries. You can search an address and determine if it’s within the city limits.

Am I still allowed to pick up food? Yes. Residents may still go to the grocery store, pick up food at a local business and pick up food from their child’s school.

Can I keep my restaurant open? Yes

Can I go outside to exercise? Yes. You can also still drive to another location, like Oak Mountain State Park or Red Mountain Park, to exercise outdoors through hiking, walking or running or riding a bike. Be sure to practice social distancing and keeping 6 feet away from others while exercising outdoors. Exercise involving close or direct contact with other people, such as basketball, will not be permitted. Indoor and outdoor playgrounds for children, except those in childcare centers are ordered closed.

Can I still drive to my job if I work in another city? Yes. Residents can still drive to their jobs. The ordinance does not keep workers from driving to their jobs inside or outside of city limits.

Can I take my pet to the vet? Yes, residents can still take their pets to the vet.

What about the homeless? The order does not apply to those experiencing homelessness.

What about my family? Can we be together? Yes, the ordinance does not apply to gatherings within a single household or living unit. Public gatherings of 10 or more people where a consistent distance of at least 6 feet apart cannot be maintained are not allowed.

Can I go to the pharmacy or to the doctor? Yes.

Can I leave the city of Birmingham? Yes.

Can I go from my place of work in Birmingham to my home outside the city? Yes.

Other cities have enacted “shelter in place” orders. In Birmingham, the city has been under restrictions set by the county health officer and clarified on Sunday night. Fines under state law for violating public health orders can be $500 daily.

The mayor and council emphasized: If your business is open today under the Jefferson County Health Department, it can remain open.

Related: ‘A matter of life and death:’ Jefferson County police to enforce Alabama’s strictest coronavirus orders

Who does the ordinance NOT apply to? Here’s a list:

Public safety or emergency service workers including but not limited to law enforcement, fire and rescue services and emergency management agencies

Persons employed by utility, cable and telecommunications companies

First responders

Crisis intervention workers

Public health workers

Emergency dispatchers

Sanitation workers

Security guards

Emergency and hospital workers

Food delivery services and their employees

Merchandise or retail delivery workers

Grocery store workers and stockers

Federal, state, county and city employees

Here’s a copy of the final ordinance as adopted.