Tuscaloosa bars shut down 2 weeks to slow COVID spread on Alabama campus - AL.com

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As COVID-19 cases rise at the University of Alabama, the City of Tuscaloosa is taking new measures to slow the spread.

Bars will be closed for two weeks and bar service at restaurants will be suspended, mayor Walt Maddox announced Monday morning. The new orders begin at 5 p.m. Monday and run through Sept. 8.

The mayor said he will be making a request to the Alabama Beverage Control Board to suspend walk-up alcohol sales. Only customers seated at tables can be sold alcohol, under these new orders.

Maddox said he will be working with the city council to “make investments in our bars and restaurants to help them in this difficult time.” The full executive order from the city is posted on its website.

University of Alabama president Stuart Bell said these measures were needed to slow the increasing spread of COVID-19 on campus. He declined to give specific numbers of positive cases on campus but said the UA System office will be announcing numbers later Monday.

RELATED: Alabama president tells students COVID case rise ‘unacceptable’

Alabama governor Kay Ivey showed support for Tuscaloosa’s move in a statement released Monday morning.

“They have made tough decisions, and I appreciate Mayor Walt Maddox and The University of Alabama leadership for tackling a serious problem as quickly as possible,” Ivey said. “If we do not act expeditiously, it leaves the potential for a situation to get out of hand, which would require even tougher, longer-lasting decisions to be enacted.”

Alabama SGA president Demarcus Joiner attended Monday’s announcement of increased regulations. He hopes this can make a dent in the numbers.

“I think it’s going to hit them hard but hopefully students understand that this about more than them,” Joiner said. “This is for the community to make sure the community is safe. I also hope students will use this opportunity to focus on academics over these first two weeks of class. And once these restrictions are lessened, maybe they’ll have an opportunity to be more social.”

This post will be updated.

Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or on Facebook.

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