The COVID19 pandemic has now past 1,000,000 infected just in the USA. Continued pressure is being put on logistics and trucking operations to maintain the strategic supply chains needed to facilitate effective emergency response to the virus.
As the coronavirus continues to grow, local and state governments are taking increasingly strong steps to curb it’s spread.
As of now, parts of Tennessee including Knox County, Nashville and Memphis are executing “Safer at home” orders that force the closure of “non-essential” businesses.
Reopening Guidelines have now been posted to slowly reopen the state of Tennessee but also continue to flatten the curve.
-Restaurants and retailers will be allowed to open at 50% capacity.
-Employees will be recommended to wear masks and comply with federal hygiene and sanitation guidelines.
Other measures include spacing out tables, disinfecting touch points, utilize strict social distancing standards of 6 feet.
- Bar areas are to remain closed
- Screen customers with basic COVID19 symptom questions
- Stagger shifts, retail customers should wear masks and gloves
- Recommended to have elderly shopping hours
- Increase curbside pickup options
- Allow workers to work from home is possible.
In particular for many small businesses the amount of uncertainty, lowered demand and potential forced closure has put a lot of pressure on them financially.
As always, health comes first, and even when then pandemic control measures lighten, you will need a healthy workforce to return to normal operations.
We’ve broken down the common topic of Essential vs Non-Essential businesses below.
Essential:
Federal and state offices and services, including airports, post offices.
Government law enforcement, transportation and businsses that support government function and programs.
Food and Beverage providers such as: grocery and beverage stores, feed mills, food processing, food banks, catering.
Sanitation and Waste removal
Water, Sewage and Energy Services
Heath care including mental and behavioral, biomedical research and any business that directly supports health care and medical function
Pharmacies and Medical supply Businesses
Banks, insurance companies, accounting and insurance and financial support businesses
Home and Business repair including hardware supply
-Vehicle Fuel, service centers and transportation related support
-Legal and Judicial
Cleaning services including Laundromats and Laundry Center
-Warehousing and Storage
-Construction and facilities design businesses
-Product Logistics, transportation and distributions services including trucking, parel, rail, ocean and air freight and any businesses that support these operations
-Veterinary and Pet supply Businesses, including those for Livestock and farming
-Delivery based businesses
-Internet and Telecommunications and supporting Businesses
–Some daycare centers will stay open to support parents that are working in essential functions
Non Essential Businesses:
–Craft Businesses
-Gyms, and workout centers
-Theaters including movie, playhouses and music etc
-Shopping malls,
-Golf courses
-Sporting and concert venues
-Skating rinks-
-Dance schools
-Entertainment such as bowling centers
-Hair salons, tattoo parlors etc
-Retail that does not support curb side only
For more information: https://www.wvlt.tv/content/news/Gov-Lee-releases-guidelines-for-Tennessee-businesses-to-begin-reopening–569921501.html
CDC guidance can change as the coronavirus situation changes and all businesses should take care to adhere to CDC recommendations for social distancing and practice sanitation of grounds.
Thankfully many retailers primarily grocery stores, pharmacies and other retailers are providing special hours to accommodate senior citizens.
We are doing our best to continue supporting logistics operations throughout this crisis and work with shipper and retailers to provide continual supply chain reliability during such a volatile freight market. Let us know if there is anything we can do to help your company! Our carrier base both over the road and intermodal are continuing to operate effectively safely.
Let’s all try to prioritize freight that is directly needed in combat COVID 19.
