Citing the recent increase in patients hospitalized in Jefferson County with COVID-19, Health Officer Dr. Mark Wilson issued an order Friday that will keep entertainment venues closed until June 6.

The move comes one day after Gov. Kay Ivey announced that restrictions would be lifted on many entertainment venues, but her order allowed local health officials to impose stricter requirements.

“Jefferson County has seen an increasing number of new cases of COVID-19 per day, and increasing number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 per day, and at least 30 newly recorded deaths of people with COVID-19 in Jefferson County since May 8, 2020,” Wilson wrote in his order.

The Jefferson County order comes just ahead of the Memorial Day weekend, seen as the unofficial start of summer by many and a critical time for some entertainment venues.

Other places to remain closed in Jefferson County for another two weeks include venues for: concerts and adult entertainment as well as racetracks, indoor children’s play areas, bingo halls and social clubs.