SYLACAUGA, Ala. – The Sylacauga Police Department will enforce statewide health orders issued last week.
Over the weekend Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall confirmed the ability of state law enforcement agencies to enforce emergency state health orders issued last week.
A memo to all state law enforcement agencies noted that any person or group willingly breaking the directives can be charged with a misdemeanor and fined up to $500 for each day they violate the rules.
Marshall encouraged agencies to enforce these orders on a case by base basis, which the Sylacauga Police Department will do.
SPD Chief Kelley Johnson told SylacaugaNews.com he hopes and believes our citizens will take common sense precautions, and do the right thing while the health orders are in place. “Are we going out looking for it? No. If it comes to us then, yes, we will enforce it,” said Johnson. “However, I don’t think our people are breaking those rules from what I have seen.”
The orders include:
— All non-work-related gatherings of 25 persons or more, or non-work-related gatherings of any size that cannot maintain a consistent six-foot distance between persons, are prohibited.
— All public and private beaches on the Gulf of Mexico are closed.
— All regular programs at senior citizens centers are to have ceased.
— All schools are closed for any in-person instructions or classes.
— Restaurants, bars, breweries, or similar establishments are not to permit on-premises consumption of food or drink. Carry out, delivery, and curbside pickup are allowed and encouraged.
— All elective dental and medical procedures are to be delayed.
— No visitors are permitted at hospitals and nursing homes.
— Child care facilities must keep the number of children in any room or other enclosed space below a dozen.
