Mayor Releases Economic Recovery Plan for Area

April 16, 2020



City of Jackson Mayor Scott Conger announces a multi-phase plan to turn around the local economy and re-open businesses during COVID-19. Madison County Mayor Jimmy Harris says the county's plan will mimic the City's plan for economic recovery.


“This plan is founded in data,” said Mayor Conger. “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.”



This 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.”


“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 below.

City of Jackson Economic Recovery Plan

1.) Flatten The Curve

    a. Measures
    i. Closing community gathering spaces such as schools, shopping centers, dining areas, gyms
    ii. Promoting telecommuting over physical office presence
    iii. Limiting travel
    iv. Cancelling mass gatherings
    v. Closing dining areas, and encouraging to-go’s
    vi. Issuing “Shelter at Home” orders
    vii. Monitoring community adherence to physical distancing and advisories, and adjusting messages where appropriate
    viii. Increase diagnostic testing capacity and build data infrastructure to rapidly share results
    ix. Ensure functioning of the health care system
    x. Increase supply of PPE’s
    xi. Encourage the public to wear masks
    xii. Ability to test all symptomatic persons
    xiii. Ability to conduct active monitoring of confirmed cases and their contacts
    b. How do we move to the next step?
    i. A sustained reduction in new unknown origin cases for at least 14 days
    ii. Hospital is safely able to treat all patients requiring hospitalization without crisis standards
    iii. Governor of Tennessee lifts stay at home order



2.) Reopen Phase One

    a. Measures
    i. Ease Shelter at Home Order to a Safer at Home Order.
    ii. Recall tier 2 city employees back to work with masks.
    iii. Encourage mask wearing (so we can meet our next goals)
    iv. Reopen Restaurants and Retail Spaces with 50% capacity, and social distancing guidelines.
    v. Reopen Closed Factories and Companies with Social Distancing Guidelines in place
    b. Retroactive Steps
    i. If we receive a substantial number of new cases that cannot be traced to known cases.
    ii. Sustained rise in cases for five days
    iii. Hospitals are no longer able to safely treat all patients
    c. How do we move to the next step?
    i. A sustained reduction in new cases for at least 7 days
    ii. Hospital is safely able to treat all patients requiring hospitalization without crisis standards



3.) Reopen Phase Two

    a. Measures
    i. Reopen retail spaces with social distancing encouragement only
    ii. Reopen restaurant spaces with social distancing guidelines
    iii. Recall tier 3 city employees back to work with masks
    iv. Reopen closed factories and companies
    v. Open up non-essential services with guidelines (masks, gloves, 50% capacity at a given time) regarding
           1. Nail Salons
           2. Hair Salons
           3. Tattoo Parlors
           4. Massage Parlors
           5. Gyms and Health Clubs
           6. Pet Grooming
           7. Etc.
    vi. Churches
    vii. Reopen City Parks


    b. Retroactive Steps
    i. If we receive a substantial number of cases that cannot be traced to known cases
    ii. Sustained rise in new cases for five days
    iii. Hospitals are no longer able to safely treat all patients
    c. How do we move to the next step?
    i. A sustained reduction in new cases for at least 7 days
    ii. Hospital is safely able to treat all patients requiring hospitalization without crisis standards.



4.) Reopen Phase Three

    a. Measures
    i. All retail spaces open
    ii. All restaurant spaces open
    iii. Lift all travel restrictions
    iv. Remain hyper vigilant of our vulnerable populations
    b. Retroactive Steps
    i. If we receive a substantial number of new cases that cannot be traced to known cases
    ii. Sustained Rise in new cases for five days
    iii. Hospitals are no longer able to safely treat all patients
    c. How do we move to the next step?
    i. A sustained reduction in new cases for at least 7 days
    ii. Hospital is safely able to treat all patients requiring hospitalization without crisis standards


5.) Lift all restrictions Phase Four

    a. Measures
    i. Lift all travel restrictions
    ii. Open up bars and nightclubs (pending restrictions from CDC)
    iii. Lift other restrictions