MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, along with all the municipalities in Shelby County, have issued an executive order to temporarily close all bars, gyms and restaurant dining rooms.
According to a release from the Mayor Harris’s office, the executive order goes into effect at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 22.
The executive order will not apply to delivery, take-out or drive-thru restaurants, nor will it apply to stores, supermarkets, or offices.
Harris’s statement reads, in part:
“The municipal mayors and I have worked together to take action to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus and protect public health. New cases and other available data suggest we have entered a new phase with potential community spread and transmission. The temporary closure of eating establishments is important as it will support and encourage social distance. The support and collaboration among our municipal leadership is critical in protecting the public health and safety of community. As with this decision to temporarily close restaurants, it is critical that our municipal leaders continue to work together.”
Earlier Friday afternoon, the mayor of Germantown declared a state of emergency.
The order from Mayor Mike Palazzolo required all restaurants to close dining rooms to the public and perform only take-out or delivery services. Bars, gyms and movie theaters were to close as of midnight on Friday.
City leaders encouraged the community to support local business through to-go orders, drive thrus, delivery and curbside pick-up.
So far, there have been 30 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Shelby County. There are currently 228 confirmed cases in the state of Tennessee.
