As we all follow the “Tennessee Pledge” issued by the Governor to return Tennesseans to work in a safe environment, restore their livelihoods, and reboot our state’s economy, you must ask yourself—what will business be like in this new COVID-19 world?

To answer this question it is important to first ask, “where we have been in the past few weeks?”

Since March 22, 2020, when the Governor issued Executive Order No. 27, Tennesseans have been prohibited from social gatherings of 10 or more people. Restaurants, bars, and similar food and drink establishments were ordered to offer take-out or delivery options only, while gyms and fitness/exercise centers were directed to temporarily close and suspend in-person services. In addition, the Order restricted visitation in nursing homes, retirement homes, and long-term care or assisted-living facilities. On March 30, 2020, the Governor issued an order prohibiting close-contact personal services and ordering entertainment and recreational gathering venues to close. On April 2, 2020, the Governor issued an order requiring all persons to “stay at home, except when engaging in Essential Activity or Essential Services.” According to the Tennessee Pledge, there has been a $218 million decline in motor vehicle-related sales year over year, with losses for April being significantly greater.

Now that “reopening the economy,” so to speak, is a reality and not a distant dream, you ask yourself, “How do I conduct my business now?”