City Leaders Working on Plan to Reopen Businesses

They Say Safety is Still The Top Priority

Click on "storm shelters."

Its been a week since the stay at home order has been in effect... causing several non essential businesses to remain closed.

Therefore taking a toll on our local economy.

Today -- city leaders insisted health is still the priority over the economy.

But that doesn't mean they aren't keeping a close eye on it.

Waay31's alex torres perez joins us live now to discuss what city leaders are doing when it comes to reopening the economy in alabama.

As you can see behind me, all non-essential businesses like this barber shop in providence are closed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Right now, leaders across alabama are working together to come up with a game plan on how and when to reopen the economy.

City leaders did not mention a specific day as to when it will happen.

Madison mayor paul finley described it as a balancing act between health and economics.

Local leaders are keeping track of the number of coronavirus cases to make decisions.

Kind of like what they did before.... as more cases were reported, more restrictions were added until the stay at home order.

City leaders say they expect those restrictions to relax as they see fewer cases being reported.

The key right now is finding the right time frame.

Now from a health care perspective.... the main concern is supplies.

Huntsville hospital ceo david spillers says right now the hospital is capable to perform elective surgeries while still separating coronavirus patients.

But they aren't performing those elective surgeries because of the possible need of supplies for coronavirus patients.

David spillers, ceo of huntsville hospital sot 22 seconds the last thing we want is to open us back up and come in here and tell you, 'well we got 10 inpatients today.

Then 10 the next.

Then, all of a sudden we have 100 covid patients that are utilizing resources at the rate of about 1,000 regular patients, and then we run out of supplies.so, i think we need to be very careful and thoughtful about it.

I'd rather see us do it 2 weeks too late than 2 weeks too early."

Spillers says the economy won't reopen by region.

Instead, city leaders expect the decision to reopen the economy to be a statewide issue.

So even if things look good in north alabama, businesses like these could still be shut down if there are still hot spots in other parts of the state.

Reporting in hsv atp waay 31 news.