Drivers, riders, and supporters of all things Drover — these are unprecedented times. We have all surely been effected at this point by Coronavirus; people have lost jobs, entire industries have temporarily shut down, our personal lives have been drastically altered by calls for social distancing. This blog is purposed to serve as an update on the status of COVID-19 in the state of Tennessee as well as provide insight into the actions that Drover is taking as a company to enact precautions and best practices to prevent the spread of the virus.
Action from TN Governor Bill Lee
Starting today, Monday, March 23, 2020, until April 6, 2020, the majority of businesses across the states are being asked to adopt remote business models.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has created both an economic and a health crisis and our response must continue to address both aspects,” said Gov. Lee. “Our goal is to keep the public, especially vulnerable populations, safe while doing everything possible to keep Tennesseans in a financially stable position.”
Tennessee Executive Order 17, signed by Gov. Lee yesterday, mandates the following:
prohibits groups of more than 10 people in a common space
requires restaurants and bars to exclusively offer drive-thru, take-out, or delivery options, but cannot seat patrons
gyms, fitness centers, and similar businesses are required to temporarily close, but may offer digital programming
visitation to retirement homes, nursing homes, and assisted-living facilities are limited to only the most essential care visits
businesses are encouraged to enact dedicated shopping hours for members of vulnerable populations such as the elderly and people with pre-existing medical conditions
“I urge every Tennessean to take these actions seriously - our physical and economic health depend on this as we work to beat COVID-19,” said Lee.
Want to hear it straight from Gov. Lee? Watch the video here.
How this Effects Tennessee Businesses
“Non-essential businesses and services” in Tennessee are being urged to temporarily close until April 6 as part of a larger effort to diminish the spread of Coronavirus throughout the state.
Essential businesses and services, as defined by the state, include:
Food and beverage: grocery and beverage stores, farmers markets, food banks, catering, convenience stores selling food, agriculture, food processing, feed mills, and other businesses that directly support the food supply
Health care, mental and behavioral health, and biomedical research and businesses that directly support the healthcare industry including health information technology, staffing and supplies
Sanitation and waste removal businesses and services
Energy, water, and sewage businesses and services
Pharmacies and medical supply businesses, and other businesses that directly support the drug and medical supply pipeline
Vehicle fuel, support, service stations and businesses
Banks, savings and loans, insurance companies, accounting businesses, and other business that directly support the insurance and financial services sector
Legal and judicial services
Laundromats/laundry/cleaning services
Home and business repair, hardware supply
Warehousing and storage
Construction and facilities design businesses
Product logistics, transport, and distribution businesses
Parcel transportation and delivery businesses
Veterinary and pet supply business and services including agricultural services and the caring and feeding of all livestock and farm animals
Home and business cleaning and maintenance services
All businesses which rely upon deliveries may continue, including florists, Internet and telecommunications systems (including the provision of essential global, national, and local infrastructure for computing services, business infrastructure, communications, and web-based services)
Essential city, county, state and federal government functions including law enforcement, transportation, post offices, airports, and businesses that provide government programs and services
Drover in The Age of COVID-19
Again, these are crazy times. We are grateful that, being as Drover is a transportation and delivery company, we are still allowed to operate at the current moment. We see this as a great privilege in a season where multiple other businesses around us are required to temporarily suspend or significantly alter their operations.
We take the privilege of remaining in operation with great weight and want to inform the public that we are taking significant precautions and efforts to ensure the continued safety of our drivers and riders in the age of COVID-19.
We recognize the seriousness and reality of the spread of Coronavirus and want to ensure our drivers, riders, customers, and the public, that we are taking precautions and enforcing procedures amongst our drivers to prevent the spread of the virus within our fleet.
To our drivers and riders, we require and firmly ask that you take the following precautions:
- Before and after riding or driving, wash hands with water and soap/sanitizer for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid contact with sick people
- Don’t touch eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
- Don’t eat raw food, thoroughly cook meat and eggs
- Avoid contact with animals and animal products
To our drivers and riders who are experiencing symptoms, we respectfully ask:
- Stay at home and rest
- Avoid contact with others
- Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing
- Keep objects and surfaces clean
- Wear a surgical mask
Get the Latest COVID-19 Updates and Protocol from the CDC Website —>
