Phase II of COVID-19 Back-to-Business Plan begins today

SHELBY COUNTY, TN – Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and Health Department Director Alisa Haushalter were pleased to announce today that Shelby County is ready to begin Phase II of the Back-to-Business framework.

Based on the four criteria the COVID-19 Joint Task Force has been monitoring, including the growth in new cases, health care systems capacity, public health system capacity, and testing capacity, the Task Force has made the decision to begin Phase II of the Back-to-Business plan today.

Phase II allows for the reopening of personal care businesses that were not allowed to reopen under Phase I, including nail salons, spas and tattoo parlors, as long as they abide by guidance provided in Health Directive #4 (posted here:www.shelbytnhealth.com/healthdirectives). It allows for gatherings of not more than 50 persons, provided all persons observe social distancing recommendations and wear facial coverings. And it allows for persons to participate in outdoor activities, including sports and physical pursuits as long as social distancing can be maintained.

The mayors of all of Shelby County’s municipalities agree that the time is right to allow individuals and businesses to safely resume some of their normal activities:

“I am grateful for the hard work and many sacrifices of the residents of Shelby County. We have seen encouraging results because of a collective willingness to do all that we can to reduce the spread and embrace new skills, like social distancing. Although we still have a long way to go in Shelby County’s fight against COVID-19, we have made substantial progress and are therefore prepared to enter Phase 2. We all played a role in getting to this important mile marker. We all have a role to play to get to the next one.” –Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris

“Over the last 14 days, we’ve been closely monitoring the data. Based on the opinion of our medical experts, we are ready to move to Phase ll of our Back-to Business plan allowing more Memphians back to work in a safer way.”—Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland

“With the necessary precautions we have made the improvements needed to move to Phase 2. I am happy more people can get back to work.”—City of Bartlett Mayor A. Keith McDonald

“Thanks to citizens diligence in social distancing, staying at home, wearing mask and the other things you have done to protect yourselves and others, we are able to move to phase 2. Keep up the good work!!”—Town of Collierville Mayor Stan Joyner

“In Germantown we are committed to continue the prescriptive balance of commerce, public health safety and quality of life within our community. Entering Phase Two, following the directive and guidelines of the Shelby Health Department will allow us to strike a solid balance by continuing reopening and recovery in Germantown.”—Germantown Mayor Mike Palazzolo

“The municipal mayors of Shelby County, along with Mayor Harris have been in constant communication with the Health Department to proceed with Back to Business. Millington is looking forward to moving into Phase 2 with caution. We are all concerned with the health and welfare of our communities. Many small businesses are eager to get back to work with the health directives that have been set. We need all of citizens to please do their part in helping to defeat the spread of this Covid-19 virus.” –Millington Mayor Terry Jones

“As the Mayor of Lakeland, I am honored to stand with all Shelby County Mayors and announce the opening of Phase 2 of our Back to Business Plan effective today. I would like to thank all of our Phase 2 businesses for their patience during this time.” –Lakeland Mayor Mike Cunningham

“The data is very encouraging to see the path we are on, and I’m hopeful as we enter phase 2 we continue this trend that allows businesses and citizens to get closer to normalcy.”
–Arlington Mayor Mike Wissman

The Shelby County Health Department will continue to carefully monitor the growth of new COVID-19 cases, health care system capacity, public health capacity, and testing capacity as the Shelby County economy reopens under Phase II.

For more information about the Health Department’s COVID-19 response, visit www.shelbytnhealth.com/coronavirus.

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