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By ALEC ETHEREDGE | Managing Editor

MONTEVALLO – On Friday, April 3, about the same time Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced a stay-at-home order for the state, the city of Montevallo set in place a curfew to help limit the spread of the novel coronavirus.

“Due to the pandemic emergency created by COVID-19 and the increased risk of infection by public gatherings, it is hereby ordered that a public safety curfew is ordered to be imposed in the city of Montevallo,” read the order.

The curfew is now in effect from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. seven days a week until further notice.

The city said the order needed to be put in place based on the significant increases of COVID-19 cases across the state with public health and safety being the number one priority.

The curfew will not apply to public safety or emergency service activities, first responders, crisis intervention workers, public health workers, emergency personnel, emergency dispatchers, law enforcement personnel, persons employed by or contracted to utilities, cable and telecommunication services, persons providing sanitation, security, hospital services, food delivery services or other delivery of merchandise or mail services, persons seeking essential services or commodities, persons supplying or restocking businesses for essential services, persons employed by the federal, state, county or city government, and anyone experiencing homelessness within the city.

The order set by the city also reiterated the governor’s order to stay at home unless working for an essential business or in need of essential items.

Failure to comply with the order is punishable by a fine of $500 and up to 180 days in the municipal jail.

In addition to the curfew, the city made other changes that include the golf course closing to the public on April 6, all city facilities remaining closed to the public, the senior center staff only being allowed on site Mondays to prepare frozen meals for distribution starting April 13 and the recycling center closing on April 6.

City parks will remain open but public restrooms will be closed.

“Sending best wishes to all residents to remain healthy and strong and stay at home as much as possible,” read a release from the city.