Governor Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Public Health closed Alabama beaches and business until April 30. Now leaders across the state and country are working on a plan to restart the economy.

Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft and city leaders have been in discussions with the governor’s office and the Alabama Small Business Commission Emergency Task Force Subcommittee. The city was asked to provide recommendations on how Gulf Shores plans to safely open beaches and the local tourism economy. 

The Gulf Shores plan is just a recommendation. Ivey must lift the statewide shutdown order before beaches or businesses can reopen. 

“Our belief is that we must collectively develop a gradual and measured approach that can evolve as this situation continues to do so. This likely includes requiring our businesses to reopen under modified conditions and that we all adapt to a “new normal” for a while,” Craft said.

The plan drafted by the city of Gulf Shores includes:

Small Businesses and Food and Beverage Establishments
 
May 1: All small businesses previously closed may reopen and food and beverage establishments may offer on-premise consumption subject to social distancing guidelines as set by the State Health Officer. 
 
Medical and Dental Offices

 
May 1: All medical and dental offices may reopen and elective procedures may resume subject to social distancing guidelines set by the State Health Officer.
 
Beaches
 
May 1: All beaches reopen for limited recreational use only. Walking, running, swimming, surfing, fishing or other similar activity is permitted as long as social distancing guidelines are followed. Congregating on the beach and the use of chairs, tents and/or umbrellas is prohibited.
 
May 15: All beaches reopen for normal activities subject to compliance with social distancing guidelines as set by the State Health Officer.

Craft said, “many of our local businesses, their employees and their families are barely hanging on. Their future is uncertain, federal business assistance programs are now out of money, and their only chance of survival is for us to find a way to begin safely moving forward together.”