By Joshua Huff, sports editor
MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Department of Health issued further guidelines on Tuesday in response to the growing outbreak of the coronavirus.
Following the guidelines released yesterday pertaining to restaurant/bar bans in Jefferson County, the department increased the social gathering guidelines to five surrounding counties: Tuscaloosa, Walker, Blount, St. Clair and Shelby.
“Alabamians living in Jefferson County and its surrounding counties are currently the most vulnerable to contracting the Coronavirus,” Gov. Kay Ivey said in a statement. “I ask that Alabamians who live in these countries adhere to these regulations and would urge the rest of our state to do so as well in order to mitigate the impact of the virus.”
The ADPH recommends that gatherings of 25 persons or more should be discouraged if a six-foot distance cannot be maintained. In addition, any restaurant, bar, brewery or Category 3 food service establishment cannot service customers on the premises for one week.
That order will be reevaluated at the end of the week.
However, carryout is allowed and restaurants are encouraged to offer online ordering with curbside pickup.