NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Tennessee Governor Bill Lee today signed Executive Order No. 59 to extend certain, targeted provisions of Executive Order Nos. 36, 38, 49, 50, 54, and 55 through September 30, 2020 to continue the fight against COVID-19.
Executive Order 54 gave county mayors the authority to issue local mask requirements. Mayors in 89 counties throughout the state will be able to issue mask mandates until the end of the month.
Gov. Lee also signed Executive Order Nos. 60and 61, which extend through September 30 provisions that allow government meetings to be held electronically beginning Oct. 1.
Executive Order No. 59 extends previous provisions that:
- Urge persons to wear a cloth face covering in places where in close proximity to others, while facilitating local decision-making concerning face-covering requirements;
- Urge social distancing and limit social and recreational gatherings of 50 or more persons, unless adequate social distancing can be maintained;
- Limit nursing home and long-term-care facility visitation, while providing a framework for safe, limited visitation, and continue the closure of senior centers;
- Provide that employers and businesses are expected to comply with the Governor’s Economic Recovery Group Guidelines (e.g., Tennessee Pledge) for operating safely (the 6 counties with locally run county health departments have authority to issue different directives on businesses/venues);
- Provide that bars may only serve customers seated at appropriately spaced tables and must follow the Economic Recovery Group Guidelines (e.g., Tennessee Pledge) for restaurants (the 6 counties with locally run county health departments have authority to issue different directives on businesses/venues);
- Continue access take-out alcohol sales to encourage carryout and delivery orders;
- Allow broad access to telehealth services;
- Increase opportunities for people to easily join the healthcare workforce;
- Facilitate increased testing and health care capacity;
- Extend deadlines and suspend certain in-person continuing education, gathering, or inspection requirements to avoid unnecessary person-to-person contact; and
- Increase opportunities to work remotely where appropriate.
