CITY & COUNTY REOPENING PLAN(S)

On May 1, 2020 Knox County and the City of Knoxville began a gradual, phased-in reopening of businesses. The plan highlighted the fact that the community will not be immediately returning to a pre-pandemic “normal”, but instead outlined a 3 phase approach to reopening.

However, on June 17, 2020, the Knox County Board of Health voted instead to adopt Governor Lee's Tennessee Pledge guidance effective July 1, 2020. 

On July 15, 2020, the Knox County Board of Health adopted the COVID-19 Community Education Recommendation to aid with recommendations for Knox County businesses, schools, venues and residents.

On July 29, 2020, the Knox County Board of Health voted to issue a regulation titled the COVID-19 Suppression in Bars Regulation. To read the full original regulation, click here. The order went into effect at 12:01 a.m. on August 3, 2020. This original order was revised on August 5, 2020 and changed to suspend the on-premise consumption of food and drink in bars within Knox County after 10 p.m. EST in order to protect the general health and safety of the citizens of Knox County during the COVID-19 pandemic. This regulation shall remain in effect until 12:01 a.m. on August 20, 2020. Click here to read the revised regulation.

On September 16, 2020, the Knox County Board of Health passed an amended resolution that orders restaurants and bars that serve alcohol to close at 11 p.m. The resolution goes into effect on September 18, 2020 and will last for 28 days. The board also passed a resolution to limit gatherings to ensure that no more than 25 person congregate within the same 900 square feet unless they are residing the in the same household.

• Draft of Sept. 16 Curfew Regarding the Sale or Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages in Certain Establishments [PDF]
• Draft of Sept. 16 COVID-19 Social Group Transmission Suppression Regulation [PDF]
• Aug. 5 Revised COVID-19 Suppression in Bars Regulation [PDF]
• COVID-19 Suppression in Bars Regulation [PDF]
• Knox Co. Board of Health COVID-19 Community Education Recommendation [PDF]
• Governor Lee's Tennessee Pledge
• City & County COVID-19 Phased Reopening Plan


POSTERS FOR BUSINESSES

Signage for Businesses
Click on images to download printable signs





• Thank You For Wearing Masks Poster: 
Poster with City Logo [PDF]  |  Poster without City Logo [PDF]  |  español
• Protect Your Health and Help Us Stay Open Poster:
Poster in English [PDF]  |  español 
• Important Employee Guidance Poster:
Poster in English [PDF]  |  español 


KNOXVILLE CHAMBER

List of COVID-19 business support resources


CARES ACT & THE PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM

U.S. Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act which will provide emergency assistance and health care response for individuals, families, and businesses affected by the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.


U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA)

• COVID-19 Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
• Apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan  |  Guide [PDF]
• Paycheck Protection Program


TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

• COVID-19 Small Business Resources
• COVID-19 Broadband Resources
• Additional COVID-19 Resources


TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

• COVID-19 Response & Resources
• COVID-19 Unemployment for Employers Information 


LAUNCH TENNESSEE COVID-19 UPDATES

Launch Tennessee is a public-private partnership for Tennessee entrepreneurship resources. Their COVID-19 page provides guidance from health officials, updates from statewide network partners, resources to support small businesses and startups, webinars and other virtual learning opportunities, and other information as needed.


UTCIS COVID-19 RESOURCE DASHBOARD

COVID-19 industry resources, workforce protection, best practices, etc. from University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services.


IRS CORONAVIRUS TAX RELIEF INFORMATION

The IRS has established a special section focused on steps to help taxpayers, businesses and others affected by the coronavirus.


COVID-19 BUSINESS RESOURCE CENTER FROM HELLO ALICE

 Hello Alice website is updated daily, with real-world funding, resources, and support for small business owners adapting to the impacts of coronavirus.