Businesses in Madison County can reopen self-serve buffets. The Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department announced the change today based on new data regarding the spread of COVID-19.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly through person-to-person contact. It’s possible a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes. However, this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

“The highest risk of contracting COVID-19 comes from close person-to-person interaction,” Regional Director Kim Tedford said, “The risk of surface transmission is low.”

Restaurants who decide to reintroduce self-serve buffets must practice social distancing, good hand hygiene, and sanitization. We encourage businesses to continue to follow other recommendations outlined in the Tennessee Pledge set forth by Gov. Bill Lee and the Tennessee Economic Recovery Group (ERG).

“The COVID-19 pandemic has been hard on restaurant and business owners,” Tedford said. “We want to help local businesses as much as possible without compromising the health of our community.”