Phase 3 pushed back
Memphis, Shelby County says getting back to normal means staying in Phase 2 until at least Monday.
In bringing back business to its normal pace, Memphis and Shelby County will stay in Phase 2 of the reopening plan until June 15, the Shelby County Health Department says.
The department released a statement Monday that pushes Phase 3 of until at least June 15.
Health officials say remaining in Phase 2 is warranted because of a recent increase in coronavirus cases in Shelby County, which is Tennessee’s largest county with about 930,000 residents.
The statement notes June 15 is recommended as the earliest day for entering Phase 3 of the reopening plan.
The reopening plan, called Back to Business, was unveiled in April by the eight mayors serving in the county. The plan set up a gradual ramp-up for nonessential businesses ordered closed in March in an effort to diminish crowding and slow the spread of the coronavirus among people.
Phase 3 includes a provision allowing groups of more than 50 people to meet in one place if social distance rules are observed. Phase 2 limits meetings to 50 or fewer people. Phase 3 also allows restaurants to fill 75% of the seats, compared with 50% in Phase 2.
In explaining the reason for staying in Phase 2 at least another week, the Shelby County Health Department says:
“The recommendation comes after careful analysis of data since the move to Phase II on May 19, 2020. We have seen an increase in daily case numbers, particularly after the Memorial Day weekend.
For that reason, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and the Shelby County Health Department have decided to maintain the current COVID-19 response level at this time.”
The city of Memphis has posted the reopening plan on its website.
Shelby County health officials also advised people to continue efforts to keep from catching or spreading the virus. Recommendations include:
h Stay at least 6 feet away from others.
h Wear a mask or facial covering while in public, at work, or around people from outside of your household.
h Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds.
h Get tested. Shelby County has installed testing sites, but much of the capacity is still underused.
h Isolate yourself when you test positive for COVID-19.