By Matt Wright
The Health Department issued a new order today for Shelby County due to the increasing cases of COVID-19 in the Mid-South and many are not happy with the decision. The order, which is effective starting this Saturday (December 26, 2020) will last until January 22, 2021.
The new order will once again put a tremendous burden on many small business owners and employees in Shelby County, including those in the Lakeland area. Many owners have already gone out of business or suffered financially and some feel this latest order will only compound the financial struggle to remain viable. Under the new directive, restaurants in Shelby County will remain open, but they must reduce capacity to 25%. Drive thru and take out will remain the same. Current mask and social distancing restrictions will also stay in place. Area gyms must now reduce to 50% capacity, including employees. Area big box stores must also reduce to 50% capacity.
Nancy Rose, owner of Orangetheory Gym in Lakeland was frustrated with the new order telling Lakeland Currents, “Orangetheory Fitness Lakeland has been operating at limited capacity for over 7 months now and this is just one more setback for us. It’s difficult to be one of the selective businesses being unfairly targeted yet once again.” Mrs. Rose continued saying, “I have very little confidence left in the people making these decisions considering they have not missed a paycheck yet and continue to make decisions with no representative check on their authority.”
One local official that is trying to take a stand for local business is Shelby County Commissioner Mick Wright. Mr. Wright held a rally in downtown Memphis today where local business owners expressed their frustration with the orders. Commissioner Wright, who represents Lakeland and Bartlett, said, “The important thing today was to let the public know now is the time to show our support for small businesses. If we wait, it may be too late.”
Back in November, former Vice Mayor Josh Roman discussed a possible resolution to protect Lakeland businesses and their employees. He asked the Lakeland city attorney to draft a resolution to the County Commission and the State of Tennessee asking for a more nuanced hot spot closure or restrictions policy. Mr. Roman said the COVID-19 positive numbers are not the same across the entire Memphis and Shelby County population and they should be treated uniquely. He was hoping this would lead to areas like Lakeland, which has been relatively low for positive cases, to remain open fully, even if Memphis sees a spike in cases. Mr. Roman said the new board of commissioners of Lakeland would now have to take that resolution up if they feel it’s a good decision for Lakeland.
