A Message From Mayor Gary Fuller

At the City of Opelika we are not taking the COVID-19 situation lightly. We have a responsibility to our community, the people of Opelika and our employees to take all precautions necessary to keep everyone safe and healthy. We are working to limit employee exposure by decreasing in-person meetings when possible. We would also like to ask that if you have any of the COVID-19 symptoms, that you please do not enter city buildings. Please call and conduct business over the phone. We have allowed several employees with immune compromising issues to start working from home. Our goal is to continue providing essential services to our community – fire and police protection, power, solid waste and waste water collection and treatment. We understand that this is a most unusual situation, and ask that you remain calm and use good judgement when making decisions that affect you, your family and those closest to you.

City of Opelika COVID-19 Press Releases

Emergency Ordinance Concerning COVID-19 Approved 3-17-20 (PDF)

COVID-19 City of Opelika Updates 3-17-20 (PDF)

Opelika Municipal Court Outlines Court Procedures - COVID19 (PDF)

Opelika Municipal Court - FULL ORDER (PDF)

COVID-19 City Departments Take Precautionary Measures 3-13-20 (PDF)

COVID-19 Mayor Fuller Statement 3-13-20 (PDF)

City of Opelika Closures

• Opelika Parks and Recreation games, classes, activities and programs until re-evaluation on March 27, 2020. This includes all practices, games, group fitness classes and swim lessons.The Opelika Sportsplex will remain open, but the SportsPlex basketball gym and pool, Denson Drive Recreation Center and Covington Recreation Center will be closed until re-evaluation on March 27, 2020. The Covington preschool will remain open until further notice.
• Lewis Cooper Jr. Memorial Library will maintain regular hours and is open for materials checkout and computer use. Cooper Library has cancelled all events and activities, including scheduled offsite programming, for the next two weeks. As always, our digital resources are available to use anytime at www.cooperlibrary.com.
• All community census events have been postponed until further notice. However, we ask that you still fill out your census online, by phone or via paper when it comes in your mailbox.
• Tot Watch at Opelika Sportsplex is closing as of March 18, until further notice.

How You Can Do Your Part To Help Prevent The Spread

• Do not gather in groups of more than 50 people
• Maintain 6 feet -- social distancing
• People age 60+ should not gather in groups of more than 10
• Restaurants should limit to 50% of normal capacity and keep tables 6 feet apart
• Limit exposure in public buildings
• Do not travel out-of-state if it’s not essential
• Wash your hands
• Do not touch your face
• Cover a cough or sneeze
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and doors as often as possible
• Stay home if you are sick; call EAMC hotline at 334-528-SICK if you are exhibiting an symptoms

EAMC Screening and Collection Information

• People having MILD symptoms should treat COVID-19 the same way they would the seasonal flu.  That is, they should isolate themselves at home and treat the symptoms with over-the-counter medicines.     
• People who feel they need medical attention should contact their primary care physician or other local provider. 
• If the medical provider determines a COVID-19 test is warranted, they will collect the specimen there and submit to ADPH or to an independent lab.  If the physician’s office is out of supplies or do not have the ability to collect, the patient can call 334-528-SICK for evaluation.   
• Calls to 334-528-SICK should be used when exhibiting the COVID-19 symptoms and possible emergent care is needed.
• Calls to 334-528-SICK does not guarantee a COVID-19 specimen will be collected and submitted for testing.  Instead, patients will be screened on the phone and if the medical provider on the phone determines a COVID-19 test is warranted, directions will be provided on going to EAMC’s drive-through collection center.

Opelika City School Information

The Opelika City Schools are committed to ensuring that students are fed a nutritious meal when schools are closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Carver Primary School and Opelika High School will be serving lunch meals Monday-Friday from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. beginning Monday, March 23. The meals will be provided for free to anyone 18 years old or younger regardless of which school they attend. No paperwork is required. Children must be present in order to receive the meal. Please note that the schools will be set up for pick up service only. No meals will be consumed on site. Directional signs will be posted at Carver Primary and Opelika High School.

The Opelika City Schools will be closed through April 3, 2020. This includes all school related activities. For ongoing information, visit the Opelika City Schools Facebook page and follow local media coverage.

Resources

For any questions or guidance regarding Coronavirus COVID-19 please refer to the CDC website (travel warnings) for the most updated information https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html.

The Alabama Department of Public Health updates can be found at http://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/infectiousdiseases/2019-coronavirus.html.

For the most recent information from the Opelika Chamber of Commerce, visit https://chambermaster.blob.core.windows.net/userfiles/UserFiles/chambers/2875/CMS/COVID-19-update.pdf.

For the most recent information from EAMC, visit https://www.eamc.org/patient-and-guests/coronavirus-covid-19-update.