By Gary Lloyd

TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville City Council on Tuesday approved several measures aimed to curb the spread of COVID-19.

One resolution approved supports the public health directives and orders enacted by Gov. Kay Ivey, and the Alabama and Jefferson County departments of health during the pandemic. The resolution states that the “rapid spread and high death toll claimed by COVID-19 has the likelihood to impact each of us in the coming weeks and months.” The resolution advises to self-isolate if possible, observe social distancing by limiting groups to 10 or fewer people and to maintain a six-foot separation, and to wear protective masks in public.

Another resolution supports Ivey’s “stay at home” declaration issued on April 3, which authorized “law enforcement personnel to cite or arrest persons disregarding these directives, except for the limited named reasons spelled out in this order.”

The resolution states that the state public health order is enforceable under Section 22-2-14 of the Code of Alabama, which provides that the criminal penalty for a knowing violation of a rule or regulation adopted by the State Board of Health is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of no more than $500. Trussville has adopted state misdemeanor offenses via an ordinance that allows for these charges to be brought in municipal court. The enforcement of municipal ordinances is governed by Section 11-45-9, which states that “municipal ordinances may provide penalties of fines, imprisonment, hard labor, or one or more of such penalties for violations of ordinances.”

The final resolution approved encourages citizens to wear personal protective masks over their mouths and noses when in public, given the “extreme contagious nature of COVID-19 and its high mortality rate.” The resolution advises using masks when going to grocery stores, pharmacies and other open businesses.

“A mask may not only protect you from exposure, but may protect others from exposure if you are a carrier of the virus without symptoms,” the resolution states. “Each citizen must take personal responsibility for themselves during this public health crisis.”