Some Savannah parks, restaurants and stores reopening this week

Some Savannah restaurants and city parks are reopening today – but with restrictions intended to curtail the spread of coronavirus.
Retail stores can reopen Wednesday, April 29, at 50 percent capacity and with restrictions.
Still closed are close-contact businesses such as hair salons and barber shops.
Tennessee is among the handful of primarily southern states beginning to restart their economy. Many medical experts, while acknowledging the devastating economic impact of the shutdown, say it’s still too early.
As of Sunday, the Tennessee Department of Health is reporting five cases of COVID-19 in Hardin County and 11 in McNairy County. Statewide, there have been 9,667 cases and 181 deaths since the beginning of March. The vast majority of cases are mild. But the disease is orders of magnitude more likely than the flu with which it shares some symptoms to result in death.
The state says nearly 413,000 Tennesseans or 15% of the state’s workforce filed claims for unemployment between March 1 and April 18 due to COVID-19 mitigation.
Savannah has for a month and a half implemented Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee’s directives regarding the pandemic. He last week announced his “stay at home” executive order will expire on Friday, April 30, with no further extensions planned.
The local plan is based on the governor’s “Tennessee Pledge” plan to reboot the state’s economy while attempting to maintain public health safety.
Further guidance is expected this week regarding churches, gyms and medical procedures. Salons and barber shops will not reopen until Phase 2 of the plan.
The city said in a press release that Savannah City Hall will continue to remain closed to public access until Monday, May 4. Residents are encouraged to first call the needed city department to see if business can be handled with a phone call versus in-person contact.
Savannah Utility Department bills can be paid online at: https://bit.ly/3aGyEas.
Although Tennessee Street Park is remaining closed until further notice, the city said, Wayne Jerrolds River Park opened Monday during daylight hours for passive recreation such as walking and biking. The boat ramp and dock are open. Rest rooms and pavilions remain closed.
Savannah City Park is also open, but rest rooms, the playground, pavilions, tennis court, skate park and ball fields are still closed. Disc golf is allowed, subject to social distancing and Centers for Disease Control guidelines. Savannah Veterans Park is open.
Harbert and Hand Deberry 4-Field ball fields remain closed. A decision is to be made by May 4 regarding the status of Savannah Parks & Recreation spring and summer sports programs, the city said.
Savannah Theater and Savannah Market remain closed.
“We apologize for the inconvenience and ask that the public please be patient and understanding in our efforts to address present day situations. Please be diligent in your efforts to be safe and continue to follow social distancing and CDC guidelines,” said Savannah Mayor Bob Shutt.