What is a non-essential business

Chattanooga is shutting down non-essential businesses.

We asked the mayor's office which businesses they consider non-essential.

That "non- essential" businesses in the city must temporarily close to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

The mandate will be legally enforceable by several city offices, including the chattanooga police department.

We asked the city's communication director to break down what exactly non essential means for the city.

It is common spaces and retail shops that access inside of a shopping malls or shopping centers, but it's also businesses that are by nature really difficult to maintain social distancing practices.

So we're thinking about hair and nail salons, beauty shops, barber shops spas, tanning salons, and tattoo parlors berke signed an executive order late last week mandating that gyms close and bars and restaurants end dine-in services.

But he has since decided to shut down more businesses to encourage