The order did not include opening of restaurants and barber shops. Restaurants will remain takeout and delivery only.

“My hope is that both the governor and the state health officer will revisit this order soon as conditions continue to improve so that those businesses still ordered closed can reopen,” State Sen. Chris Elliott, R-Fairhope, said. 

Ivey said she has been assured by Mayor Tony Kennon of Orange Beach and Mayor Robert Craft of Gulf Shores that those cities will work to ensure beachgoers maintain social distancing. Pools at condos and hotels will reopen as well with groups of 10 or less and practicing social distancing. Members of the same household can enjoy the beach together with 10 or less people. All groups are limited to 10 or less and social distancing of six feet must be observed on all beaches.

Among the easing of restrictions, all retail stores can operate at 50 percent capacity and should encourage customers and employees to practice social distancing.

“We have seen a stabilization, a leveling off if you will,” Ivey said. “I look forward back to easing back into our social interactions. This is a thoughtful well-planned timetable on how we can open up our economy led by our Financial Director Kelly Butler.”

Ivey urged those especially susceptible  to the virus - older residents and those with compromised immune systems - to continue to shelter in place as much as possible.

The shelter-in-place order came down on April 4 but Ivey said some of the things officials feared from the virus were not as severe as predicted.

“We did not see the level of infections that were predicted and the overburdening of our hospitals did not occur,” Ivey said.

While issuing health precautions and practices that citizens need to keep following, Ivey also addressed the ailing economy suffering under the closure restrictions.

“It’s time we focus on our economic health, too,” Ivey said.

Elliott served on a committee organized by Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth and passed along recommendations to Ivey on April 17. He was pleased with parts of the new rules regarding COVID-19.

“The revised order issued by the state health officer and announced by Gov. Ivey takes meaningful steps to reopen Alabama including our beaches,” Elliott said. “I’m pleased that the governor and state health officer have adopted many of the recommendations made by Lt. Gov.Will Ainsworth’s Small Business Commission Reopen Alabama Task Force.”

Elliott said the previous orders put the small businesses in Alabama at a disadvantage while the larger retailers were doing a booming business.

“This is putting many small businesses back on equal footing with big box stores, getting most employees back to work, safely opening Alabama’s beaches and allowing our hospitals and doctor’s offices to go back to seeing patients."