MEMPHIS, Tenn. —
There are plans to reopen Riverside Drive in Downtown Memphis when Shelby County enters Phase 3 of the COVID-19 Back to Business reopening plan. That is scheduled for Monday, June 15. The road only will be open during the week, and will be shut down on weekends.
Shelby County health officials say as we prepare for Phase 3, people should prepare for COVID-19 to be with us all for the long haul.
The Director of the Shelby County Health Department says COVID-19 will be with us for many more months, even a year or more. She says when it comes to this virus, it's like running a marathon.
"You really have to plan ahead for the distance knowing there are difficult times ahead and that you have to make changes along with the way to assure you reach the goal in the end which is to eliminate COVID in our community," said Dr. Alisa Haushalter, Shelby County Health Department Director.
Haushalter says she anticipates moving in Phase 3 Monday without a problem. Phase 3 includes upping the occupancy rate places like restaurants, gyms, and libraries to 75%. Entertainment venues and groups of more than 50 can gather if there is space and an approved social distancing plan.
Haulhalter says going into phase three people still need to wear masks and social distance. She added everyone must do their part to reduce transmission to things can continue to stay open.
Haushaulter says there is concern as we go into summer, people will find it more challenging to mask up in public. When asked if the the Health Department could issue a mask-wearing mandate? She responded there were questions about the legality of that. "We're consulting with our legal team to discuss a mandate and there is some discussion about the ability to dictate a mandate and there has some input from the legal team at the state."
Memphis City Council also is considering requiring people to wear masks in public. The city council attorney believes the city charter allow the ability to make a mask requirement. Of course, if there is a requirement, many wonder how it would be enforced.
"I hope we never have to enforce it as public health department or public safety officials and you will adopt that value yourself and you will make this happen as part of your daily routine," said Doug McGowen, COO of Memphis. McGowen said if a mask mandate is put into place, he wouldn't be surprised if someone filed a lawsuit to legally challenge it.