INSIGHT Magazine Special Home Edition April 2020 | Page 11

“Stay at Home” Statewide Public Health Order
Frequently Asked Questions for Individuals
1. May I do X, Y, or Z?
The answer depends on the language of the state
health order. But before asking whether you can
legally do X, Y, or Z, ask yourself, “Is doing X, Y, or Z a
good idea?” If doing X, Y, or Z would increase the risk
of transmitting COVID-19, try not to do it.
2. When can I leave my home?
You may leave home only to do “essential activities”
allowed by the order. For example, you can go
get “necessary” services or supplies, and you can
help other people (or pets!) get these necessary
services or supplies. You can also go to work in some
circumstances. There are a few other “essential
activities” listed in the order; most are addressed in
some way on this FAQ.
3. What are “necessary” supplies or services?
The order gives several examples of necessary
services and supplies—for example, food,
pharmaceuticals, gas for your car, and emergency
medical care. In each case, the services and
supplies must be “necessary” for a person’s (or
a pet’s) safety, sanitation, or daily routine. But
remember: Always ask yourself whether going
somewhere, even for “necessary” supplies and
services, would increase the risk of COVID-19
transmission. If you can delay, delay.
4. Can I go to church? What about weddings
and funerals?
Yes, you may attend these services, but only in limited
circumstances. A service can proceed in person if
it involves fewer than 10 people spaced at least six
feet apart from one another. Or, it can be a “drive-
in” service where people remain in cars with other
people from their household—spaced six feet away
from people in other cars. To help prevent COVID-19
transmission, every effort should be made to conduct
these services through remote participation.
5. What can I do outside? Can I play golf or tennis?
Can I take my children to the playground? What
about boating, hunting, and fishing?
Generally, you may go outside as long as you stay six
feet apart from other people—and never congregate
in a group of 10 or more people. But some outside
activities are specifically prohibited—including
spectator sports, sports that involve interaction
within 6 feet of another person, activities that require
the use of shared equipment, and commercial
or public playground equipment. In short, keep
exercising and go outside—but avoid activities that
increase the risk of spreading COVID-19.
6. Am I allowed to leave home for work?
Yes. You may go to work if your workplace is one of
the many “essential businesses and operations”
listed in the order. Even if your work is not listed
as “essential,” you may also go to work if doing so
would allow your employer to “maintain” its value
(for example, providing security or managing
inventory), or if doing so would allow other people to
work or shop remotely (including drive-by, curbside,
and delivery), or if doing so would require no regular
interaction within six feet of another person.
7. What about cleaning services, remodeling
crews, home health workers, and lawn services?
In other words, can people come to my home to
provide services?
It depends. As mentioned above in question 6,
people can go to work for an “essential” business
or if they will have no regular interaction within six
feet of another person. So it may be legal to provide
some of these services at your home, especially
lawn services. (“Home health workers and aides” are
specifically listed as essential.) But always ask, “is this
a good idea”? If you can delay the service, delay it.
8. May I leave my home to transfer custody of
my children? What about visiting family?
Yes, the order allows people to leave home to travel
as required by court order, including specifically the
“transportation of children as required by a custody
agreement.” You may also visit family, as long as it’s
at their place of residence.
9. When I do leave home, does it matter how I
travel? Can I travel by bus? What about airlines?
The order does not prohibit any method of travel. But
remember: You should make every effort to avoid
situations that increase the risk of spreading COVID-19.
alabamapublichealth.gov