UPDATE (5/14/21): According to Shane Horn, City Manager, Lakeland (and other Shelby County jurisdictions) will continue issuing a limited declaration of emergency in order to continue to qualify for potential future federal funds.
Lakeland residents can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel after the Shelby County Health Department released a health directive that allows for limited mask wearing as well as lifting multiple restrictions on businesses. The new orders will take effect this Saturday, May 15.
Since the early spring of 2020, Lakeland has technically been under a state of emergency. But according to City Manager Shane Horn residents can expect a much more normal summer and fall around town, including upcoming public events. “After an extremely trying fourteen months, we are pleased to begin moving in the direction of less restrictions and a slow return to normalcy,” said Mr. Horn. He added, “We appreciate the patience of Lakeland residents and businesses as we maneuvered through this difficult period, we are excited to return to our normal community events this summer/fall at the LAMP and look forward to welcoming everyone as we come back together.”
Commissioner Wesley Wright said he was glad businesses could now operate under more normal circumstances stating, “I am glad to see that businesses will be able to operate more freely. It should not have taken this long. Now we have a long road to economic recovery and we must do what we can to support local.”
Last week Lakeland School System announced they are already planning on a normal school year with no mask, a normal school schedule, and a full event schedule starting in August.
