Council unanimously approves nightly curfew measures and resolution requesting COVID-19 data and updates from JCDH

During Thursday’s special-called Birmingham City Council meeting, the legislative body approved two items relative to COVID-19 response: a resolution requesting data and regular updates from the Jefferson County Department of Health, and an amendment to the shelter-in-place ordinance establishing a 10 p.m. curfew.

The nightly curfew will be lifted at 5 a.m. and will not impact people traveling to and from work or other essential services. The Council was also adamant about including a clause that prohibits law enforcement from using the order as probable cause to stop and search motorists.

“Everything we’ve done has been about flattening the curve. I am asking that we keep in mind that this is a very serious issue,” Council President Pro Tem Wardine Alexander said. “We are not implementing these measures to be restrictive or to infringe on people’s daily lives. This is about public safety and making tough decisions that we believe will save lives.”

The Council also passed a resolution unanimously requesting that the Jefferson County Department of Health provide the Council with data relative to COVID-19 cases in Birmingham. The legislative body is requesting case data that outlines age, sex, race, and underlying conditions of patients who have been treated for the virus and live in the city limits.

The resolution also requested regular briefings on COVID-19 along with the data. Council President William Parker has been vocal in recent weeks about the need for additional COVID-19 data in order for the Council to know where resources need to be directed and to apply for additional federal relief funding.

“I appreciate the tireless work being done by our county health officials,” Parker said. “As the legislative body for Birmingham, we need to have a very clear picture of what we are up against. We know this virus is disproportionately impacting African American communities across the country. This information is crucial in our efforts to not only make data-driven decisions, but it will also allow us to apply for federal funding to combat these racial disparities as it relates to COVID-19.”