Gov. Kay Ivey discusses potential plans to reopen Alabama economy

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey held a press conference on April 14 to discuss the potential reopening of the economy in the state in the coming months.

Ivey said that all indications she has received is that the social distancing measures and “stay-at-home” order in the state has helped to slow down the rate of infections in the state.

“It is imperative that we keep doing what we are doing,” Ivey said. “Now is not the time to let our guard down.”

Ivey said, however, that she has approached a number of different groups in putting together a plan to reopen the economy across the state. Ivey said that she has approached Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth to get together with his Small Business Commission Emergency Task Force to put together a plan and expects that plan to be in her hands by April 17.

Ivey said that she also spoke to the state Congressional delegation about bringing together a plan for each district in the state.

“All seven immediately jumped on board,” Ivey said. “Grove Hill is not Gadsden and Decatur is not Dothan. There are very many geographical and economic differences.”

Those congressional delegates are expected to bring their individual plans by April 22, and Ivey also said that her own Coronavirus Task Force will also be putting together it’s own plan on opening up the economy again.

“I’m getting a lot of advice on what we could should or must do to get our economy going again,” Ivey said. “My staff and I are taking every suggestion serious and are looking at each one. On or before April 28, (State Health Official) Dr. (Scott) Harris and I will review all of these recommendations before the April 30 end to the ‘stay-at-home’ order.”

Ivey emphasized that the reopening of the economy will likely be done over time and region by region.

“It has to be a reasoned process,” Ivey said. “So, it will be over time and segment by segment or region by region. One size does not fit all. We have to get folks back to work as soon as we can, though.”

To bolster her point about getting people in the state back to work, Ivey pointed out that more than 264,000 Alabamians have applied for unemployment in the last four weeks, compared to 30,000 in the previous 12 months combined.

Dr. Harris also spoke at the press conference and noted that prediction models have changed in recent weeks due to the social distancing measures taken. Harris said that he did not believe Alabama would see a surge that could overrun hospitals.

“Our prediction (models) look a lot better than we thought a month ago,” Harris said. “Overall, we are very encouraged that people are taking the orders seriously. We welcome the plan that the governor has today (on opening back up the economy). It is her order that has saved people’s lives and the reason we are even in this position right now.”