A statewide business committee is looking at when - and how - Alabama’s economy might reopen.

Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth said the Alabama Small Business Commission Emergency Task Force has formed a subcommittee that will look at reopening Alabama’s economy that’s been shuttered by the coronavirus pandemic. The group’s plan will be presented to Gov. Kay Ivey and State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris by April 17.

“Reopening Alabama’s economy and getting business back to work will not be like flipping a light switch but it will more likely be accomplished in stages once the COVID-19 pandemic begins to ease,” Ainsworth said. “The purpose of this subcommittee is to provide a roadmap to reopening the economy that balances the public’s health and safety with the need for small business owners and employees to resume operations.”

Gov. Kay Ivey has closed all non-essential businesses and issued a state-at-home order in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The orders shuttered many small businesses and forced restaurants to go to curbside or to-go service only. The changes have led to massive job loss and cutbacks, with more than 100,000 Alabamians filing for unemployment just last week.

Among the options being considered are ways to ease restrictions on restaurant and store capacity guidelines and how to incorporate current social distancing guidelines into operations.

State Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, will serve as the subcommittee’s chairman. Members are: Sen. Chris Elliott, R-Fairhope; Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman; Rep. Joe Lovvorn, R-Auburn; Rosemary Elebash, National Federation of Independent Business, Alabama chair; Mindy Hanan, Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association executive director; Katie Britt, CEO of Business Council of Alabama; Rick Brown, president of Alabama Retail Association; Tony Cochran of CK Business Solutions in Albertville; and Stephen McNair of McNair Historic Preservation in Mobile.