Governor Bill Lee signed Executive Order 23 on Thursday that requires Tennesseeans to stay home unless conducting essential activity or essential travel.
The "Stay at Home" order that was signed by Governor Bill Lee on Thursday requires that Tennesseeans stay home unless they are engaging in essential activity or essential travel where violation of the Executive Order may be punished as a Class A Misdemeanor.
Law enforcement have been given guidance on how to enforce the new order that remains in effect until April 14th according to Governor Bill Lee.
Essential Activity. In accordance of this order, "Essential Activity means:
a. 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;
b. 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;
c. 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;
d. 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;
e. 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;
f. 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
g. Engaging in Essential Travel, as defined below.
9. Essential ravel. For purposes of this Order, Essential Travel means:
a. Travel related to Essential Activity or otherwise permitted by this Order;
b. Travel related to performing Essential Services;
c. Travel to care for the elderly, minors, dependents, persons with disabilities, or
other vulnerable persons;
d. Travel to or from educational institutions for purposes of receiving materials
for distance learning, for receiving meals, and any other related services.
e. Travel to and from outside of the State of Tennessee; or
f. Travel required by law, law enforcement, or court order, including to transport
children pursuant to a custody agreement."
Also Tennessee announced that FEMA approved the state’s COVID-19 major disaster declaration where the action accelerates efforts to work to expand statewide capacity by an additional 7,000 beds through Tennessee’s partnership with the Corps of Engineers, the state is assessing sites across Tennessee to build capacity, and create Alternate Healthcare Facilities.
