MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A draft of a new health directive calling for another closure of non-essential businesses was leaked Saturday, causing confusion for Shelby County restaurant owners and frustration for some county leaders.
Some businesses reported receiving a copy of Health Directive No. 16 from the Shelby County Health Department.
The Shelby County Health Department responded, saying the document was only a draft and was not final. But business owners said they need more answers.
The Shelby County Health Department says that document was a draft of Health Directive No. 16 and not the final version of the directive. Though the date on the document indicated the directive would be in effect from December 21, 2020 through January 3, 2021, the department said nothing has been finalized at this time.
In a statement released Saturday morning, the health department said the draft document was created “for discussion amongst public health officials, health care providers and elected officials.”
The department says that while December 21 was identified as the effective date in the draft, that date may change.
“Locally, we have continued to work together to explore all options that can reduce transmission while balancing economic impact,” the health department said. “As the document is finalized, it will be released to the media via the formal, traditional channels.”
The directive on the health department’s website, dated Dec. 19, indicates that restaurants may stay open at 50% capacity with social distancing measures.
The release Saturday was causing confusion for some restaurant owners.
“We’re not going to make it if we get another shutdown that says you can’t dine it, that you can literally only do curbside,” said Traci Sanchez, co-owner of a TCBY near Wolfchase.
Mick Wright, the District 3 representative on the county commission, said officials hadn’t had time to review the draft before it was released.
“The Shelby County Health Department has seen fit to circulate draft rules with sweeping impact on every citizen to the media and to ‘elected officials’ but not with the board of commissioners,” Wright said. “We have been sent a news release making reference to this draft but not the draft itself. How can commissioners respond to questions about county government when they are kept out of the process?”
Suburban mayors have strongly opposed another shutdown. Lakeland Mayor Mike Cunningham said via social media, “We ALL hear you and are fighting to keep your businesses open.”
Saturday morning, the health department reported 754 new positive coronavirus tests in the county. The health department says 21 new deaths have been reported.