COVID-19, Featured, Government, Public Safety
COVID-19 Update from Mayor Kenneth E. Gulley
Statement from Bessemer Mayor Kenneth Gulley
I am urging all residents of Bessemer to follow guidelines related to halting the spread of COVID-19 and to shelter-in-place to the greatest extent possible through at least April 6.
A State of Emergency was declared in Bessemer on March 17 in response to COVID-19 efforts.
The Jefferson County Department of Health has instituted guidelines prohibiting public gatherings of 10 or more people and requesting gatherings of 10 or less to practice social-distancing of at least 6 feet. This includes churches and houses of worship.
Non-essential businesses in Bessemer are required to shutter their doors as of 5 p.m. on Monday, March 23 and remain closed through at least April 6 as outlined by the JCDH. A list of businesses considered essential and non-essential is outlined at the end of this release.
We’re doing our part to keep you safe, but we need your help. We’re asking all Bessemer residents to shelter-in-place when allowable during this time as we all work together to halt the spread of this virus in our state and nation.
I am requesting residents continue to follow these safety guidelines:
• Wash hands constantly or use hand sanitizer if washing is not possible.
• Stay at least six (6) feet away from others if possible.
• Avoid shaking hands and make sure all coughing and sneezing is covered completely.
CITY PARKS
City parks remain open but certain activities within parks are limited by mandate of state health officials.
The use of playground and exercise equipment in city parks is prohibited through April 17 and falls under the non-essential mandate handed down by the State Department of Health.
Basketball courts at city parks are restricted through April 17. Sports that involve interaction with another person of closer than 6 feet is prohibited.
Outdoor activity such as walking, hiking, biking or running is permissible provided that individuals maintain at least six feet of social distancing.
COVID-19 TESTING IN BESSEMER
In addition, the city of Bessemer is coordinating with Cahaba Medical Care to sponsor drive-thru coronavirus testing at the Bessemer Civic Center on Thursday March 26 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Persons that wish to have a test performed will have to pre-register. Testing resources are scarce and will be limited to those with the following:
Symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, employer mandate and significant exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Please note: You MUST pre-register at the link below in order to be tested. Once you have completed the pre-registration process, you will be assigned a time slot to come for your test. PLEASE COME DURING YOUR SCHEDULED SLOT TIME, at the request of the Bessemer Police Department. You can arrive at the testing site at any point during your assigned time slot. CLICK HERE to Pre-register.
ESSENTIAL and NON-ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES
The Jefferson County Department of Health has outlined several essential and non-essential businesses. An outline of those businesses is below. Further guidelines on businesses can be found at the following this link to the Jefferson County Department of Health.
SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
Resources are available at the state and national level for small businesses in Bessemer impacted by the COVID-19 response. Please access the following link for additional information for small businesses: Click HereEMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE
The Alabama Department of Labor is providing guidance for workers impacted by COVID-19. See the following link for more information - Click Here
