Tennessee Governor, Chattanooga Mayor discuss businesses reopening

Tennessee Governor, Chattanooga Mayor discuss businesses reopening

The tennessee governor wants to start reopening the economy by next week.

That comes as many businesses have had to close during the coronavirus pandemic.

But chattanooga mayor andy berke says he's not ready to re-open on an arbitrary date.

My co-anchor dorothy sherman has been operating remotely this week.

She explains what this means locally.

Tennessee governor bill lee says some businesses could start opening as soon as monday with the majority of businesses opening by the end of next week.

Tennessee governor bill lee: "these businesses will open according to specific guidelines and guidance that we'll provide in accordance with state and national experts in both business and medicine."

This applies to 89 counties.

But this doesn't apply to larger counties and cities like hamilton and chattanooga.

But, local officials are coming up with their own plans for businesses.

The chattanooga mayor is working with a restart task force to figure out when businesses can reopen and how.

Chattanooga mayor andy berke: "the things that people need to wear.

How do we need to ensure that there is the right distancing between people whether it's salons or restaurants we want to want to create the conditions that people stay safe."

Chattanooga mayor andy berke: "i think it's is dangerous for us to set arbitrary dates that say this is when something's going to happen without closely examining the facts that's what i'm going to do so that we can, we can all be safe."

Businesses have not been immune to the impacts.

Chattanooga area chamber of commerce economic development vice president charles wood: "almost three quarters of chattanooga chamber membership has lost revenue over the last month because of covid-19."

The chattanooga area chamber of commerce is encouraging people to shop online at local restaurants and retailers through a newly launched campaign, "chattanooga to go."

Chattanooga area chamber of commerce economic development vice president charles wood: "anything that we can do to keep more that local dollars continue to stay in the chattanooga market and in the chattanooga economy is really critical."

Wood says they have recently met with city officials regarding the planning of reopening opening businesses.

Dorothy sherman/http: the chamber has a list of local businesses and their safe offerings.

We have a link to