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The Andalusia Star-News announced it is temporarily closing its office in response to guidelines issued by the Alabama Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control.

In a release by the ADPH and Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, it was mandated that “All gatherings of 25 persons or more, or gatherings of any size that cannot maintain a consistent six-foot distance between persons, are prohibited. This Order shall apply to all gatherings, events or activities that bring 25 or more persons in a single room or single space at the same time.”

Star-News Publisher Kendra Majors said the health and safety of the newspaper’s employees and customers is her primary concern, but that newspaper staff will still be available to assist customers, and that news operations will continue unabated.

“Our office hours will remain from 8 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday, but we will be utilizing a mail drop in our front door, and staff will communicate with customers through our front door,” Majors said. “We want to continue to serve customers without compromising the safety of them or our staff members.

Majors said ADPH is suggesting these measures stay in force through at least April 6, thus the newspaper will mirror that timeline and evaluate reopening the office to the public at that time.

“It’s important to remember that this is a very fluid situation at the moment, and circumstances can change rapidly,” she said. “But I can assure you our commitment to reporting how Covid-19 is affecting our community, and how we as a community are rising to the occasion, has not changed. Like you, we are modifying how we structure our business to meet the needs of our customers and our community, but our commitment of service is as strong as it has ever been.”

Anyone with story ideas, submissions and calendar of events may email christopher.smith@andalusiastarnews.com.

Anyone with classifieds or public notice information may email classifieds@andalusiastarnews.com

Anyone with retail advertising questions may email ruck.ashworth@andalusiastarnews.com

Customers with questions or requests are asked to call the Star-News’ helpline at 334-222-2402.

Those who wish to pay their bills but do not want to come to the office during this time, may call our office or mail their payments to P.O. Box 430, Andalusia, AL 36420.