Tennessee Travel Industry Resources Amid Coronavirus

TDTD is in regular contact with the Governor’s office, the Tennessee Department of Health, U.S. Travel Association and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) regarding coronavirus (COVID-19). We continue to monitor for breaking developments.

National Updates

U.S. Travel has COVID-19 CARES Act resources that includes CARES Act eligibility, loan offerings and more.

See coronavirus travel recommendations by country.

The CARES Act establishes a new $349 billion Paycheck Protection Program.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has postponed the REAL ID compliance deadline to Oct. 1, 2021.

Statewide Updates

See Governor Bill Lee's microsite for official updates.

Gov. Bill Lee, Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, House Speaker Cameron Sexton, and the Financial Stimulus Accountability Group announced a new relief program for Tennessee businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Tennessee Business Relief Program will direct approximately $200 million in federal Coronavirus Relief Funds through the Department of Revenue directly to small businesses that qualify.

See the Tennessee Pledge for up-to-date guidelines.

Gov. Lee today signed Executive Order No. 63 to extend certain, targeted provisions of previous executive orders through Oct. 30, including the authority of local governments to institute mask requirements. Remaining restrictions on businesses and gathering sizes in the 89 counties with a state-run health department have been removed.

Governor Lee also signed Executive Order No. 64, which extends through Oct. 30 with provisions that allow for remote notarization and witnessing of documents. Executive Order No. 60, which extends through Oct. 28 with provisions that allow for electronic government meetings subject to transparency safeguards, including the requirement of live broadcasts of electronic meetings to the public beginning Oct. 1, remains in effect.

The additional counties have developed plans by working closely with local health departments' guidance. Their recovery plans can be found below:

Free COVID-19 testing is available for any Tennessean, regardless of traditional symptoms, as the Unified Command Group ramps up aggressive effort to expand testing capacity across the state.

Gov. Bill Lee has established the Stimulus Financial Accountability Group to ensure proper management of approximately $2.3 billion in stimulus funds received by the state through the Coronavirus Relief Fund created by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced $200 million in grants to be distributed to every county and city government across Tennessee for one-time, local expenses in fiscal year 2021.

TDTD Updates

The Tennessee Talent Exchange, powered by Jobs4TN helps hospitality employees in need of job opportunities transition into another industry that is in need of an expanded workforce.

TNVacation.com has a banner with COVID-19 updates along with a recommendation on our events page to check with organizers before making plans.

Follow the TDTD Industry Facebook page for updates.

Here are updated talking points and fact-based resources for you to use while talking with visitors.

Tennessee’s 16 Welcome Centers are now fully open. Welcome center employees are equipped with additional cleaning and sanitization processes, sneeze guards and appropriate personal protective equipment. Welcome center staff are gradually putting out brochures in racks to help educate new and returning visitors of attractions, restaurants, hotels and more that can be found across the state. TDOT is reconstructing the I-75/I-24 interstate interchange. This improvement project could have an impact on operation hours at the I-75 Tennessee Welcome Center Chattanooga/Hamilton County.

Research

Tennessee Coronavirus Travel Research via TDTD

Daily Travel Index via Arrivalist

COVID-19 Insights via Destination Analysts

Traveler Trends Tracker via ADARA

COVID-19 Travel Insight Reports via MMGY Global

Sentiment Toward Travel via Longwoods International

Coronavirus: The Consumer Impact via Global WebIndex

Coronavirus Data & Insights Hub via SimilarWeb

Hotel Industry Impact via STR

COVID-19 Hotel Status Updates via EproDirect Hospitality Marketing Solutions

Travel & Tourism Global Trends via Tourism Economics