What's Considered Essential?

WWAY 31's Sydney Martin was live this afternoon outside of city hall after working to learn more from the Mayor of Huntsville.

Learn more from the mayor of huntsville about the list..

Here at city hall today - mayor tommy battle said community resource officers have spent time working with big box stores to make sure they are following the order..

And to make sure groups aren't playing team sports in local parks.

The mayor said he expects the number of coronavirus cases to peak next week in huntsville.

When most people should be home.

But, city hall remains open.

The city's trying to get masks for all it's employees that come in contact with the public on a daily basis.

Today- i asked mayor battle if he believes all of the businesses like bookstores and dry cleaners deemed essential by the governor are actually essential..take a listen to what he said..

"the first order before this one, the stay in place, covered most of your retailers and covered your retailers where people were going to gather in place, where you had gatherings.

Could have gone to a total lockdown?

Probably could have.

But i think she went to the place where you didn't have gatherings and you have social contact and you have gatherings."

Last week the mayor said a stay at home order would bring a curfew to the area-- and would be the only difference to the health order restrictions in place at the time.

Today- the mayor told me there are many different types of curfews..when i asked about us not having one here.

"stay at home is a modified version of a curfew.

And i think it very much needs to be put in place.

I think it's something that makes us safer."

Today- the city council extended the local state of emergency here in huntsville- allowing battle to make decisions quickly if needed... he has the power to put in place a city-wide curfew..but hasn't put one in place or alluded to any plans to do so.

Live in huntsille sm waay 31