By Joshua Huff, sports editor
BIRMINGHAM — The Jefferson County Department of Health added barbershops, hair salons and non-essential retail stores to its list of businesses that are to shutter their doors on Monday to halt the spread of the coronavirus.
Jefferson County Health Department officer Dr. Mark Wilson said late Sunday night that he has ordered the closures be in place by 5 p.m. on Monday, March 23, 2020.
“This is a matter of life and death,’’ Wilson said in a video posted to Twitter.
Wilson added that by Monday at 5 p.m. all non-essential retail stores are ordered to close. That order does not include grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, hardware and building supply, technology and office supply.
“I’m aware that many people are asking what is essential or not,” Wilson said. “This is not a time to look for loopholes. I cannot possibly list each and every business. So, I need your help using good judgement to do everything you can to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
The Jefferson County Department of Health announced this past Thursday that all non-essential businesses and services will be closed for the foreseeable future due to the risk of infection by the coronavirus.
The order went into effect on Friday at 5 p.m.
The response is an effort to curtail the continued spread of the virus and to protect people, as well as to protect businesses that remain essential.
In addition to beauty salons, barber shops and all non-essential retail businesses, the order includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Night clubs, bowling alleys, arcades, racetracks, indoor children’s play places, pool halls, adult gaming and entertainment venues
- Recreation facilities, including gyms and fitness centers, swimming pools and spas, excluding licensed physical therapy services
- Nail salons and spas
- Casinos
- Concert venues and auditoriums
- Theaters
- Tourist attractions (including museums, planetariums, parades)
- Body art facilities and tattoo services
- Tanning salons
- Massage parlors
- Waxing salons/threading salons
- Museums and Galleries
- Performing Arts centers/events/rehearsals
- Social clubs
- Fraternity and Sorority meetings and events
- Proms, formals and other similar events