NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Today, Governor Bill Lee and members of the Economic Recovery Group outlined plans for the reopening of Tennessee businesses.
The economic plan, known as the Tennessee Pledge, includes “specific recommendations without the burden of having mandates.” The state is hopeful issuing recommendations will encourage positive forward momentum without having to issue specific mandates.
The Tennessee Pledge asks businesses to provide safe working conditions that protect employees health and consumers. Specific attention to plans for social distancing, hygiene, and wearing protective equipment whenever possible.
The plan was built around public health data collected over the past few weeks as well as guidance from the federal government.
In the past three the state pointed to the downward trajectory of flu like symptoms and and COVID-19-related symptoms. The governor also pointed to the gradual decreasing trend in COVID-19 cases being reported statewide. This, coupled with the monitoring of how quickly the virus moves across Tennessee, has led the state to see the trajectory of cases going down.
Watching the health of Tennesseans and the economic health of the state has been a balancing act.
Gov. Lee stated that 15% of Tennessee workforce has filed unemployment claims. There are more than 400,000 Tennesseans without a job. For the state, that equates to a $870 million loss in revenue.
The Economic Recovery Group has created the Tennessee Pledge to streamline best practices for businesses to reopen. The mission is to begin a safe transition to opening Tennessee businesses beginning April 27.
Mark Ezell, Commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Tourism Development, and head of the Economic Recovery Group, insisted this reopening is not intended to be a floodgate to open all businesses. “I want to be clear. We are not returning to business as usual.”
The restaurant and retail industries will be the first phase of reopening.
Beginning Monday, April 27, restaurants in Tennessee can begin to reopen as long as they are committed to safe practices. For restaurants this means operating at 50 percent capacity. Tables must be spaced 6-feet apart. Restaurants with bar areas must keep the bar closed. The state has issued additional guidance for communal products including items such as menus, silverware, and condiments.
Live music is prohibited, instead having a focus on safe food service delivery.
The retail industry will not be open for operation until Wednesday, April 29. Similar to the restaurant industry, retail stores are expected to operate at 50 percent capacity. Employees are encouraged to wear gloves and face coverings. Individual stores should develop special shopping hours for the at risk and essential workers including healthcare providers and first responders. Whenever possible, retail stores should focus on curbside pick-up and delivery.
Many other businesses and industries are still waiting on their guidance. For now, the state will not issue specific guidance for additional industries.
“It must be steady and methodical and empower opening in a way that doesn’t jeopardize all of the strides we’ve made so far in attacking COVID-19,” said Gov. Lee.
Next week, the governor will cover additional opening instructions for industries to include gyms, elected procedures and healthcare facilities, and more.
Close contact services, such as barbershops, hair salons, and spas and massages will continue to be on hold for a few more weeks. Services that are virtually impossible to open without social distancing require additional safety measures and discussion.
Regarding enforcement of the reopening guidelines, the state focused instead on the commitment of businesses providing safe environments for their customers. There is no plan for the state to issue specific enforcement and there is not direct guidance for local law enforcement to enforce business practices.
“Next week is important for Tennessee,” said Gov. Lee. “Social distancing works and it absolutely must continue if we’re going to open safely.”
A link to the Tennessee Pledge can be found here.
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April 24, 2020 at 11:36PM
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Governor Lee Explains State's Reopening Plan - Clarksville Now
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