OPELIKA, Ala. – Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller announces City of Opelika changes as a result of Governor Ivey’s Safer at Home Order, effective April 30 at 5 p.m.
“While Gov. Ivey has lifted some restrictions due to COVID-19, we understand that we must continue to see a flattening of cases. It is still imperative that people maintain social distancing, less than 10 people gathered and good hygiene. We are encouraged that the Governor opened retail and look forward to all businesses being open soon,” said Mayor Gary Fuller.
The City of Opelika will follow the Governor’s Safer At Home Order which is in force through May 15 at 5 p.m. In addition to the state order, the City of Opelika announces the following changes and information effective Friday, May 1, 2020 at 7 a.m. through May 15 at 5 p.m.
1. City buildings, with the exception of the Lewis Cooper Jr. Memorial Library, will remain closed. Employees will continue to serve the public online, by phone or by email.
2. Lewis Cooper Jr. Memorial Library will open with the following restrictions and limitations in place.
- Library Hours:
- Monday - Saturday: 9 am to 6 pm
- Closed on Sunday
- Limited Services Include:
- One Entrance: The Avenue A door by the fountain is the only entrance open.
- Total number of patrons in the building is limited to 30 people.
- Computer Lab is limited to 5 people with 20 minutes of use, non-renewable.
- Children’s Room is limited to 5 people at a time.
- Genealogy Room is closed.
- Reference Room and Quiet Study Space is closed.
- Newspapers unavailable
- No meeting space or study space available
- No programs or special events
- Printing, Faxing, and Notary Service are available, but 6’ distance must be maintained during all transactions. (Call ahead to verify Notary Service is currently available: 334- 705-5380)
- Curbside pickup service is available. Place your holds online at www.cooperlibrary.com -> Books, Movies, & More or call 334-705-5380 to request items. Call 334-705-5380 when you arrive and we will bring items out to you.
3. City parks and walking trails will open. This includes disk golf, pickleball courts, dog parks and tennis courts.
4. Playground equipment at all city parks is still closed to the public per Governor Ivey’s Order.
5. Outdoor basketball courts, soccer fields and baseball fields will remain closed due to these being close contact sports.
6. Retail should still allow no more than 20 percent of stated fire capacity in the store at a time, per Mayor Fuller’s Executive Order No. 01-20 (Note this reduced capacity is approximately 150 square feet per person.) Twenty percent capacity limit does not apply to employees.
7. Summer Swing and Noon Tunes has been canceled for May. City officials will reevaluate at the end of May regarding summer dates.
8. Memorial Day Service on May 25 has been canceled.
9. July 4th fireworks celebration has been canceled.
10. May City Council meetings will be limited to 10 city officials and will be live streamed through Facebook. There will be no citizen communications or public hearings.
Recommendations for individuals:
• Minimize travel outside the home
• Stay home if you are sick
• Wear face coverings when you leave the home
• Maintain social distancing of 6 feet
• Wash hands frequently
• Disinfect frequently
To read Governor Ivey’s Safer At Home Order in full, visit www.opelikaal.gov/COVID 19.