As many people are aware Governor Bill Lee yesterday announced the issuance of Executive Orders 21 and 22. Each of these orders further enhances the States ability to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Both Executive Orders are in effect until 11:59 p.m. on April 14, 2020.
Executive Order 21 actually amends a previously issued Executive Order in which it now prohibits the following:
Businesses or organizations that perform close-contact personal services shall not be open to members or the public. Such businesses or organizations include, but are not limited to:
- Barber shops;
- Hair salons;
- Waxing salons;
- Threading salons;
- Nail salons or spas;
- Spas providing body treatments;
- Body-art facilities or tattoo services;
- Tanning salons; or
- Massage-therapy establishments or massage services.
Entertainment and recreational gathering venues shall not be open to members or the public. Such venues include, but are not limited to:
- Night clubs; 11. Bowling alleys;
- Arcades; IV. Concert venues;
- Theaters, auditoriums, performing arts centers, or similar facilities;
- Racetracks;
- Indoor children’s play areas;
- Adult entertainment venues;
- Amusement parks; or
- Roller or ice-skating rinks.
Executive Order 22 is an order directing Tennesseans to stay home unless engaging in essential activities. This order does the following:
- Safer at home. Because staying at home as much as possible for a temporary period of time will protect the health and safety of Tennesseans by limiting the spread of COVID-19 and preserving health care resources, all persons in Tennessee are urged to stay at home, except for when engaging in Essential Activity or Essential Services as defined in this Order.
- Closure of non-essential businesses for public use. Businesses or organizations that do not perform Essential Services shall not be open for access or use by the public or its members. Such businesses or organizations are strongly encouraged to provide delivery, including delivery curbside outside of the business or organization, of online or telephone orders, to the greatest extent practicable, and persons are encouraged to use any such options to support such businesses during this emergency.
- Essential Activity and Essential Services should be limited. Even though Essential Activity and Essential Services are permitted under this Order, all persons are strongly encouraged to limit to the greatest extent possible the frequency of engaging in Essential Activity or Essential Services. For example, all persons are strongly encouraged, among other things, to use thoughtful planning, careful coordination, and consideration of others when engaging in Essential Activity or Essential Services in order to minimize the need and frequency for leaving their place of residence or property. When engaged in Essential Activity or Essential Services, persons shall at all times follow the Health Guidelines to the greatest extent practicable.
- Essential Services businesses should follow Health Guideline. For those offices, workplaces, and businesses that remain open as permitted by this Order, employers should take steps to the greatest extent practicable to equip and permit employees to work from home, and employees and their customers should practice good hygiene and observe the Health Guidelines and necessary precautions advised by the President and the CDC to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
- Employers shall not require or allow employees with COVID-19 to work. An employer, through its supervisors or appropriate management personnel, shall not require or allow an employee who the employer knows has tested positive for COVID-19 to report to work until that employee has satisfied the conditions for discontinuing home isolation under CDC guidelines, which are available at the following web address: https:/ /www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-aresick/steps-when-sick.html.
- Essential Activity. For purposes of this Order, Essential Activity means:
- Engaging in activities essential to a person’s health and safety or the health and safety of family or household members, persons who are unable or should not leave their home, or pets, including, but not limited to, seeking emergency services, obtaining medical supplies or assistance, obtaining medication, obtaining non-elective medical care or treatment or other similar vital services, or visiting a health care professional;
- Obtaining necessary services or supplies for persons and their family or household members, persons who are unable or should not leave their home, or pets or delivering those services or supplies to others, including, but not limited to, groceries and food, household consumer products, supplies required to work from home, automobile supplies (including dealers, parts, supplies, repair, and maintenance), and products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences;
- Providing, facilitating, or receiving delivery or curbside carry-out delivery of online or telephone orders from businesses or organizations that do not perform or are not necessary for the performance of Essential Activity;
- Engaging in outdoor activity, provided that persons the Health Guidelines to the greatest extent practicable, including, but not limited to, driving or riding in a vehicle, walking, hiking, running, biking, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, golf, tennis, or other sports or recreational activities that can be performed while maintaining the aforementioned precautions or utilizing public parks and outdoor recreation areas; provided, however, that congregating or playing on playgrounds presents a unique risk for the spread of COVID-19 and is therefore not covered as an Essential Activity;
- Caring for or visiting a family member, friend, or pet in another household, or transporting or traveling with family members, friends, or pets as allowed by this Order; provided, that the Health Guidelines are followed to the greatest extent practicable;
- Visiting a place of worship or attending a wedding or funeral; provided, that the Health Guidelines are followed to the greatest extent practicable. However, it is strongly encouraged that the public celebration component of weddings and funerals be postponed or attended only by close family members; or
- Engaging in Essential Travel, as defined below.
- Essential travel. For purposes of this Order, Essential Travel means:
- Travel related to Essential Activity or otherwise permitted by this Order;
- Travel related to performing Essential Services;
- Travel to care for the elderly, minors, dependents, persons with disabilities, or other vulnerable persons;
- Travel to or from educational institutions for purposes of receiving materials for distance learning, for receiving meals, and any other related services.
- Travel to and from outside of the State of Tennessee; or
- Travel required by law, law enforcement, or court order, including to transport children pursuant to a custody agreement.
Individuals may find the full text of both Executive Orders, as well as, Attachment A of Order 22, by clicking the emergency alert at the top of www.goodlettsville.gov and selecting the Executive Orders by Governor Bill Lee button.