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

According to President Trump's directive, states should move to test 2% of their population each month. With almost 170,000 residents tested already, Tennessee has met this goal for April and continues that progress through May.

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 Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has postponed the tax filing deadline to July 15.

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. Lee issued Executive Order No. 38, which allows groups of up to 50 people to participate in social and recreational activities while encouraging strong social distancing measures. Read the order.

Gov. Lee issued Executive Order 36 and 37. Read the orders.

Because Tennessee continues to meet the White House gating criteria with a downward trend in case growth, increase in testing capability and sufficient hospital capacity, the Economic Recovery Group issued updated guidelines for restaurants and retail, along with new guidelines that enable attractions and larger venues to reopen with social distancing and capacity restrictions.

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

Tennessee State Parks reopened parks for day-use and lodging reservations.

TDTD Commissioner Mark Ezell assumes additional duties as leader of Governor Lee’s Economic Recovery Group which focuses on the phased reboot of the state economy. The Group works with legislative leadership, local mayors, health officials and representatives from multiple industries across the state to develop industry-specific guidance so businesses can be well-prepared to operate safely while protecting employees and customers.

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.

Find out more information about the Small Business Administration economic injury disaster loan declaration .

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.

TDTD worked with Gov. Lee’s office to develop “Do Your Part, Stay Apart,” a public service announcement campaign that urges Tennesseans to adopt preventative health measures to slow the spread of COVID-19. The campaign features Governor Bill Lee, First Lady Maria Lee, and Tennessee celebrities Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley, former NFL Titan Eddie George and Taj George, NFL Tennessee Titans, NBA Memphis Grizzlies, former NHL Predator Mike Fisher and country superstar Carrie Underwood, Steven Curtis Chapman, Michael W. Smith and Cece Winans and more. Join in on social media with the hashtag #TNStayApart and tag @GovBillLee, @TNDeptofHealth and @TDTDIndustry.

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.

TDTD is tracking attraction and event closures and sharing with the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency.

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

Fifteen of Tennessee’s 16 Welcome Centers are now fully open. Welcome center employees are equipped with additional cleaning and sanitization processes and appropriate personal protective equipment. Travel brochures have been placed in storage and sneeze guards have been installed for extra precaution. The I-65 Robertson County (Mitchellville) Welcome Center remains closed due to the highway widening project. This work is scheduled to be completed at the end of the month.

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