The Alabama Department of Public Health has established a phone number and email for residents to ask general questions about COVID-19. The hotline, at 1-800-270-7268, will be answered from 7.a.m. to 9 p.m. Emails may be sent to covid19info@adph.state.al.us.

The Jefferson County Health Department also has set up a help line for people who are unsure whether the county’s closure order applies to a situation they have. Those numbers are 205-930-1230 and 205-930-1260, and they will be answered weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Wait times might be long, and residents are encouraged to apply their best judgment. Generally, the county health officer has barred gatherings of 10 people or more or situations in which social distancing cannot be maintained.