Memphis Area Leaders Block Reopening Of County

SHELBY COUNTY, TN (Ben Caxton) — Shelby County is one of just three Tennessee counties that did not reopen on Monday. Memphis area leaders need to see a decrease in the number of new COVID-19 cases before businesses and restaurants can open back up. Once numbers decline for two weeks, Phase 1 of the county’s “Back to Business” plan will allow restaurants and retail stores to reopen at 50% capacity. Employees who handle food and deal with customers must wear masks while government buildings, churches, and gyms can open at 25% capacity. Elective visits, procedures, and surgeries at hospitals and dentist offices will be allowed but hair salons and theaters will remain closed. If health data shows a continued drop of COVID-19 for another two weeks, Phase Two allows restaurants and retail to still operate at 50% capacity as civil buildings, churches and gyms move up to 50% capacity. Sports facilities like basketball courts can open with limits on the number of people using them and salons and barbershops can reopen with restrictions. During Phase 3 capacity at nearly all businesses including grocery and hardware stores moves up to 75%. Employees at offices and call centers, which opened in Phase 1 with social distancing guidelines, will still be required to wear face masks and get checked for symptoms.