Tennessee Gov. Lee's new COVID-19 executive order keeps several industries closed, urges people to stay at home

AP file photo / In this March 16, 2020, file photo, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee answers questions concerning the state's response to the coronavirus during a news conference in Nashville
AP file photo / In this March 16, 2020, file photo, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee answers questions concerning the state's response to the coronavirus during a news conference in Nashville

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee issued an executive order Tuesday that urged residents to stay home as much as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic and specifies businesses that will remain closed, according to a state government news release.

Executive Order 30 supersedes and repeals Executive Order Nos. 17, 21, 22, 23, 27, and 29, effective Wednesday, April 29, but does not affect Executive Order No. 25 concerning dental and medical procedures, which is currently effective until April 30.

The order allows Tennesseans and businesses to return to work in all industries where that can be safely accomplished by following health guidelines, while urging employers to allow or require remote work/telework if possible, according to the release.

Entertainment and recreational gathering venues must remain closed to the public for now, including, but not limited to, bars, night clubs, live performance venues, bowling alleys, arcades, concert and sporting event venues, theaters, auditoriums, performing arts centers, racetracks, indoor children's play areas, adult entertainment venues, amusement parks, senior centers, and skating rinks.

Limited service restaurants can serve food to customers seated at tables but must follow the Governor's Economic Recovery Group (ERG) Guidelines for restaurants in doing so.

Close-contact personal service businesses must remain closed to the public for now, including, but not limited to, barber shops, salons, spas, body-art/tattoo services, tanning salons, and massage facilities.

Nursing homes and similar retirement and long-term-care facilities must remain closed to visitors, except for critical assistance and in end-of-life situations.

Tennesseans are urged to continue limiting activity and staying home as much as possible to preserve and build on the health progress we've made. Social and recreational gatherings of 10 people or more are prohibited, including but not limited to festivals, fairs, parades, youth and adult sporting events, and overnight summer youth camps.

(READ MORE: Tennessee sees biggest one-day jump in coronavirus cases)

This does not cover places of worship, for which there will be guidelines for safe operation of worship services and gatherings if in-person services are conducted, but the order strongly encourages places of worship to continue virtual or online services where possible.

This does not prohibit weddings and funerals, but encourages postponement of large-gathering components of such events.

People and businesses are urged to take special care to protect and provide for the well-being of vulnerable populations, including by offering delivery or special shopping hours if possible.

(READ MORE: Stores, malls and gyms allowed to reopen in Hamilton County this week as COVID-19 restrictions ease)

People with COVID-19 or COVID-19 symptoms are required to stay at home, and employers may not require or allow employees with COVID-19 to work.

People are urged to wear a cloth face covering in places where in close proximity to others, especially where social distancing is difficult.

Take-out and delivery alcohol sales by restaurants will continue to be allowed to encourage customers to utilize take-out or delivery options.

(READ MORE: State says Chattanooga restaurants can reopen Monday despite city's COVID-19 lockdown)

Local orders regarding medical or dental procedures are prohibited because preserving PPE is a question that is statewide in scale and shouldn't be addressed differently in each county.

For the 89 counties without a locally run county health department (all but Davidson, Hamilton, Knox, Madison, Shelby, and Sullivan), this order supersedes any contrary orders or measures, meaning that the counties cannot issue independent orders regarding the opening, closure, or operation of businesses, organizations, or venues covered by this order, though counties may continue issuing or enforcing orders or measures on other matters related to COVID-19, such as opening or closure of their governmental buildings, governing their employees, or dealing with the operation of their local government.

The county health departments in the 6 counties with locally run county health departments (Davidson, Hamilton, Knox, Madison, Shelby, and Sullivan) shall have authority to issue orders or measures that permit or restrict to a different degree than this order the opening, closure, or operation of businesses, organizations, or venues, except for places of worship. Otherwise, this order governs on the topics it covers.

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