WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE
PLANS TO REOPEN TENNESSEE (AND FLORIDA TOO FOR OUR KHA FLORIDA CLIENTS)
Reopening the State of Tennessee
Governor Lee has begun to release information about the plans to reopen the state of Tennessee. Tennessee’s new reopening guidelines apply to 89 counties, excluding Shelby, Madison, Davidson, Hamilton, Knox and Sullivan Counties. The excluded counties will have their own separate set of guidelines.
The restaurant and retail industries will be the first phase of reopening. The state’s guidelines, applicable to the 89 counties, will allow restaurants to begin reopening on Monday, April 27, 2020, at 50% occupancy. Additionally, retailers in these 89 counties are able to begin reopening on Wednesday, April 29, 2020, at 50% occupancy. The state of Tennessee recommends that employees in both the restaurant and retail industries wear cloth face masks and that business owners follow federal guidelines for hygiene and workplace sanitation standards related to the pandemic.
Guidance Coming Next Week Regarding Reopening Guidelines for Gyms, Churches, Hospitals, and Physician Practices
In Governor Lee’s press conference today regarding the state’s plan to reopen business, he addressed specific business including gyms, churches, and medical facilities. Governor Lee stated that he would present additional reopening guidelines, for businesses in these industries, next week. So we may know more sometime during the week of April 27, 2020 about when these facilities will re-open.
Close Contact Businesses (Barber Shops, Salons, etc.)
Governor Lee also addressed close contact businesses, (i.e. businesses that are physically impossible to follow social distancing guidelines) such as barber shops, salons, tattoo parlors, and massage parlors, and stated that these close contact businesses are not expected to be able to reopen until later in May.
Reopening Davidson County Following the Governor’s recommendation, Mayor Cooper has unveiled a four-part reopening plan for Nashville and Davidson County to begin allowing businesses to open as early as the first days of May. As of now, Nashville’s safer-at-home order is in place through May 1, as officials continue to review when it will be safe to reopen.
PHASE ONE – Phase one would begin with commercial and retail businesses, including restaurants. Theses business reopening will have to:
- Operate at 50% capacity
- Screen all employees daily
- Clean facilities and set explicit guidelines to maintain hygiene and wearing of face coverings for employees and patrons
- Bar areas to remain closed and live music is prohibited
- Self-service and shared condiments are not allowed
- During this phase schools, bars, gyms and salons will remain closed, along with entertainment and cultural venues
- There will be no gatherings over 10 people allowed and people will still be advised to work from home if possible
Proceeding to the next phase is contingent on a decline or stability of COVID-19 cases over a 14-day period.
PHASE TWO – Phase two, which would only come in effect after 14 days of improvements during the initial phase, would reopen the following, with the requirements from phase one still in effect:
- All elective outpatient and inpatient healthcare activities may proceed
- Salons and tattoo businesses but appointments only, no walk-ins
- Capacity limited to 10 people
- Small gatherings of 50 or fewer people
- Playgrounds and basketball courts will reopen
- Restaurants and retail businesses may increase to 3/4 capacity (bar areas will still have to remain close)
- Those age 65 and up will still be advised to stay home and everyone will still be encouraged to work from home
PHASE THREE – Phase three, if there is no increase in COVID-19, will allow businesses such as bars, gyms, and venues such as museums and movie theaters to reopen but at 50 % capacity only. Phase three will also include:
- Restaurants and other commercial businesses may open at full capacity while maintaining physical distancing
- Bars areas at restaurants may open at half capacity and live music will be permitted
- Gyms and personal hygiene businesses may reopen but with strict cleaning requirements
- Gatherings of 100 or fewer people will be allowed
- Non-residential K-12 school will reopen
PHASE FOUR – Phase four would lift most restrictions while those 65 and up will still be encouraged to stay at home. People are still asked to work from home; however, it will become optional. The use of face masks will also become optional. All bars and entertainment venues can open at full capacity with cleaning and daily screening of employees still in place. Sports and live performance venues will reopen for more than 100 people.
FLORIDA RE-OPENING
For our clients in Florida, the state is slowly beginning to reopen beaches to the public with certain restrictions and limitations. Most beaches will be re-open by May 1, 2020.
We will continue to update you on any new information regarding the reopening of businesses when it is disclosed. As always, you can call us at (615) 567-7300 or email us directly at kelli@khalawgroup.com and michael@khalawgroup.com if you need any assistance. Take care and stay well.
