Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke said late Monday that the city will not pledge to “re-open” by the end of April, not following the lead of Gov. Bill Lee’s decision earlier in the day.
In a Facebook Live video, the mayor said that his existing executive orders to curtail spread of COVID-19 by restricting businesses and social gatherings will only be lifted when epidemiology and testing numbers indicate it is safe to do so, rather than pledging an “arbitrary” re-opening date.
“I wish that we were able to be much more inline with each other, but nevertheless, we’re going to do what’s best for our community … and we’re going to look at the numbers,” Berke said. “I promise you, nothing would make me happier than to know that we had contained the virus as much as possible and that we could open things up … but we also understand that there has been a testing lag and we have to take a look at that.”
Berke signed several executive orders in March which closed various businesses and created other restrictions to improve social distancing ahead of the state, restrictions which he says have helped slow the spread locally.
Gov. Bill Lee looks on as Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke speaks during a news conference at Wilson Air Center on Tuesday, April 14, 2020, in Chattanooga, Tenn. / Staff photo by C.B. Schmelter“I’ve promised each and every one of you that it was not, never has been and never will be my goal to issue executive orders. That’s not what I want to do, but at the same time, we know that we’re in the midst of an unprecedented global pandemic,” Berke said. “I am reluctant, always, to use government power. But I also understand that if we don’t keep people safe, there can be drastic health consequences for you or your loved ones, or other people in the community, and I take that very seriously as well.”