Alabama's stay-at-home order will remain in effect until April 30, Gov. Kay Ivey said at a news conference today.
Last week Ivey announced the creation of a coronavirus task force that would begin listening to all recommendations and will put together a timeline for reopening based on facts and data.
Ivey said while she is as eager as anyone to get the economy moving again, it must be done in a responsible way.
"Getting our economy up and running is not as simple as flipping a switch," Ivey said.
She also said the state needs to expand its testing before resuming normal economic activity.
Unemployment in the state: About 306,000 Alabama residents have applied for unemployment benefits in the last three weeks, Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington said.
Washington said they have hit a peak in filings with daily applications trending downward. At least 40% of those who have applied for benefits have been paid, according to Washington.
So far the state has paid out $264 million in unemployment benefits.