NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP and local reporting) — Most of Tennessee’s restaurants have been given the green light to allow dine-in service once again as part of Gov. Bill Lee’s directive to begin reopening the state’s economy that had been largely closed due to the outbreak of COVID-19.
Some West Tennessee restaurants, including in Brownsville and Jackson, reopened for dine-in yesterday, but many others chose to remain open only to delivery and carry-out.
Governor Lee announced last week that he would not extend the state’s mandatory safer-at-home order when it expires April 30. Instead, he said 89 out of Tennessee’s 95 counties could slowly reopen with restaurants continuing dine-in service yesterday and retail stores being allowed in-person shopping starting tomorrow.
The reopening plan comes just a day after the state reported its biggest one-day jump in confirmed coronavirus cases.
Dine-in is a different experience than before the coronavirus. Staff members wear masks, check customers’ temperatures at the door and use disposable paper place mats yesterday at restaurants in Georgia, Tennessee and Anchorage, Alaska.
In Louisiana, the governor said starting Friday restaurants will be allowed to seat people outside, though without wait service at the tables.
But even in places where dine-in service was allowed, many eateries remained closed amid safety concerns for staff and customers as well as community backlash.
