Coronavirus-related restrictions ramped up over the weekend
The end of a weekend spent indoors, away from neighbors, friends, and communities of worship, will not bring relief to Americans on Monday as they face a slew of new restrictions designed to curb the spread of coronavirus. More than 30 million students are out of school. A growing number of restaurants are prohibited from inviting customers inside. Entertainment venues are becoming harder to come by and Florida is even closing some public beaches. – CNN
Blue Cross announces measures to deal with pandemic
Health educators at UAB say a series of measures announced by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama will help its members deal with the possible effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Monica Aswani, assistant professor in UAB’s School of Health Professions, said the company’s response “should prove to be beneficial to their customers at a time of great uncertainty and concern.” – AL.com
Alabama internet providers pitching in to make online life workable
Some of the state’s cable providers are rolling out free broadband services and upgrades starting Monday as Alabama’s public schools prepare to close for at least two weeks and colleges convert to online instruction during the Coronavirus outbreak. Charter Spectrum, the state’s largest provider, will offer free broadband and WiFi to households with K-12 or college students who don’t already have a broadband subscription at any service level up to 100 Mbps. They’re waving installation fees. – Montgomery Advertiser
Ivey directs state agencies to move toward telework, flex schedules
As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases rises in Alabama, Gov. Kay Ivey has authorized directors of all state agencies to put different work schedules into place for state employees. In a tweet sent out Sunday, Ivey said that effective Monday, she would authorize agency directors to implement “telework, flexible work schedules and practice social distancing” for the next three weeks. – WHNT
Wind Creek extends closings of Alabama properties to March 30
Wind Creek announced Sunday that it will keep all Alabama properties closed until March 30. On Saturday, Wind Creek originally announced it will voluntarily close its properties for a 24-hour deep clean after a patron with COVID-19 visited the resort in Wetumpka. All properties were scheduled to reopen on Monday at 6 a.m. – AL NewsNet
Montgomery investment firm acquired by N.C. company
A Montgomery-based investment advisory firm has been acquired by a North Carolina firm. Welch Hornsby Inc., with clients in more than 15 states, has been acquired by Captrust Financial Advisors. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Raymond James & Associates acted as exclusive financial advisor to Welch Hornsby on the transaction. – AL.com
