By Luc Brown
City of Jackson (Tenn.) Mayor Scott Conger announced Thursday morning a multi-phase plan to turn around the local economy and reopen businesses during COVID-19.
“This plan is founded in data,” said Conger in a news release. “It does not have specific dates because we are letting the data drive our decisions. Ultimately specific dates will come from our residents. If we are able to maintain social distancing and mitigate the rate of spread of COVID-19, the plan moves faster.”
The release said the plan will be re-evaluated and implemented after Governor Bill Lee’s safer at home order expires April 30 and once local officials and healthcare leaders have a chance to review the specifics of the governor’s plan that will roll out in May.
“We’d like to thank Governor Bill Lee for his leadership during this time,” said Conger. “I know the decisions that he is making are tough ones that are not taken lightly.”
Conger added, “We are looking forward to reviewing the governor’s economic recovery plan for May and will adjust our plan accordingly before implementation. We have to keep in mind that the governor is making decisions that are in the best interest of hundreds of cities in Tennessee. Since Jackson is a healthcare and retail hub for 1/3 of the state, it’s important that state policies are re-evaluated at a local level. This is a partnership.”
The plan is outlined in a series of steps in the following document: Economic Recovery Plan. It includes flattening the curve of COVID-19 and four phases of reopening.