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UAB opens an appointment only screening location at the Environmental Sciences Laboratory parking lot at University Blvd. and 22nd Street South. The site opened 30 minutes late as heavy rain fell and there was lightning in the area. Traffic around the site was heavy as people lined up for screening. This screening location is for those who think they may have COVID-19.To make an appointment call 205-975-1881 for further information. (Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com). Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com

A new health order expands coronavirus-related restrictions statewide.

The orders go into effect Saturday, March 28 at 5 p.m. and will remain in place through Friday, April 17 at 5 p.m.

Dr. Scott Harris said the orders expand on some already instituted in places such as Jefferson County statewide. The move comes as coronavirus numbers in Alabama continue to grow and a day after officials announced schools - closed since early March – would go to distance learning for the remainder of the year.

Gov. Kay Ivey stopped short of a statewide shelter-in-place order, however.

“Folks, this is serious and this is real,” Ivey said. “We must be serious about eliminating the spread of this deadly virus.”

As for a shelter-in-place order, Ivey said “she has to keep an eye on the economy.”

“I have the responsibility to look statewide and in this case, one size does not fit all,” she added. “We can’t print enough money in Washington D.C. to bring businesses back to life. Individually, if people want to impose their own shelter in place, they do not need my permission to do so.”

Rather than shutting the entire state down, I propose a different solution. Today, I join Dr. Harris in announcing a specific list of businesses that will close until April 17. View the amended State Health Order: https://t.co/2FFyNYcFDk. #alpolitics #TogetherAL @ALPublicHealth pic.twitter.com/NdrpTW6YCz — Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) March 27, 2020

The latest order also prohibits any non-work related gathering of 10 or more people or any gathering that can’t maintain 6-foot distance between people.

Grocery stores, gas station and pharmacies will remain open, as will gun stores. Businesses that aren’t included on the list may remain open as well.

ABC stores, Alabama’s state-owned liquor stores, will remain open. ABC spokesperson Dean Argo said stores are not included in the state-wide order requiring non-essential businesses to close. ABC stores will also remain open in the cities of Birmingham and Tuscaloosa, both under stricter regulations.

Only five customers will be allowed in ABC stores at one time and they must remain at the front of the store while ABC personnel retrieve their order. Cash money must be exchange by being placed on the counter so that no direct skin contact will be made.

Among the business that will be closed are:

Entertainment venues

Nightclubs

Bowling alleys

Arcades

Theaters

Tourist attractions

Adult entertainment venues

Casinos

Venues operated by social clubs

Athletic facilities and activities

Fitness Centers and commercial gyms

Spas

Public, commercial swimming pools

Spectator sports

Sports that involve interaction with another person closer than 6 feet

Activities that require use of shared sports apparatus and equipment

Activities on commercial or public playground equipment

Close-contact activities:

Barber and hair salons

Waxing, threading salons

Nail salons

Body-art and tattoo services

Tanning salons

Massage services

Retail stores

Furniture and home furnishings

Clothing, shoes and accessory stores

Jewelry, luggage stores

Department stores

Sporting goods stores

Book, craft and music stores

Alabama’s beaches will remain closed through April 17; all private schools, colleges and universities are to remain closed for the same time. Health orders remain in place for daycares.

Harris said counties and cities are free to enact their own measures in addition to the state regulations.