Thousands of Alabama fans packed Tuscaloosa bars, restaurants and streets before and after Monday’s national college football championship game, which saw the Crimson Tide roll over Ohio State 52-24.
Numerous media outlets were reporting fans paying no heed to public safety protocols such as wearing protective face masks and observing social distancing.
Fans began packing local eateries and watering holes hours before the kickoff in Miami.
Videos started surfacing around lunchtime of local bars reaching standing-room-only capacity with fans packed shoulder-to-shoulder inside and out.
“Not at all,” a student responded when asked about being concerned about the pandemic, according to Yahoo Sports.
Alabama’s state health officer renewed an order Dec. 9 that people “shall wear a mask” unless seated at a restaurant, eating or drinking, according to USA Today. That same order limited groups to eight people and required 6 feet of separation between groups.
Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox issued a public service message last week urging compliance with COVID-19-related spacing rules during Monday’s game.
Tuscaloosa Police Chief Brent Blankley reiterated that message Monday.
The Tuscaloosa News reported Monday the scenes violated public health orders from Maddox and the Alabama state health office.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey extended an order that “Individuals will be required to wear a mask or other facial covering when in public and in close contact with other people” through Jan. 22.
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