Lawmakers react to Gov. Ivey’s decision to stay-at-home order

Posted: Apr 21, 2020 / 10:27 PM CDT

Updated: Apr 22, 2020 / 05:40 AM CDT

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said she wants to see an increase in COVID-19 testing before she reopens the state’s economy.

At a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Ivey said less than 1% of Alabamians have been tested for the virus, but she said that’s not enough.

“All my decisions I’m going to make are based on data, not on a desired date,” Ivey said.

The state’s stay-at-home order is set to expire on April 30. Ivey said she plans to follow guidelines from the White House that advise 14 consistent days of declining new COVID-19 cases before reopening.

However, Rep. Mo Brooks, is asking Ivey to reopen the state on behalf of his constituents of the Fifth Congressional District.

The recommendations come from a panel of 15 business leaders and lawmakers in north Alabama. This request offers alternatives and replacements for Ivey’s stay-at-home order. It specifically addresses how the order has caused the economy to collapse, people to lose jobs, and businesses to close.

The list consists of seven recommendations to opening up the state. The first three are variations of the governor’s stay-home order. They are recommending that after the stay-at-home order expires at the end of the month, that no government action be taken to extend it. The second recommendation asks for the stay-at-home-order to be stopped immediately, or keep the stay-at-home order intact, but make it mandatory that any person who tests positive for COVID-19 be quarantined in place for two weeks.

There are many different options that are listed in this request. The common theme is less government mandates and a push to get healthy Alabamians back to normal life.