Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland has extended phase two of the city’s reopening through June 16.
Shelby County has been unable to maintain a steady number of new coronavirus cases since entering phase two of the back-to-business plan. And, between the social interactivity from Memorial Day and recent protests, it is unlikely the numbers will improve soon. The decision to continue in phase two was announced Tuesday, June 2.
These factors made it unlikely the county could move out of phase two soon — despite the phase’s original minimum of 21 days set to expire June 8 — Dr. Jon McCullers, an expert on influenza pandemics for the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), told the MBJ on June 1. McCullers advises Strickland and Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris on the phase decisions.