In light of the fact that COVID-19 keeps spreading across Tennessee, Gov. Bill Lee issued an executive order late Monday afternoon, asking that all Tennesseans stay home unless engaged in essential activities.
Carroll County now has five cases, according to the latest statistics.
The governor’s order becomes effect at 1:59 p.m. Central Daylight Time on March 31 and will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m., Central Daylight Time, on April 14.
The governor noted the first case reported in the state was on March 4 and now there are 1,834 total cases of the disease, resulting in 148 hospitalizations and 13 deaths.
Essential services may still operate.
The essential services include:
• Health Care and Public Health Operations which includes but not limited to hospitals, clinics, medical practices and services, mental health and substance abuse services, dental offices, pharmacies, public health entities, etc.
• Human Services Operations which includes but limited to government or government-funded human services to the public.
• Essential Infrastructure Operations which includes food production, distribution, and sale, construction-related services.
• Essential Governmental Functions includes such personnel as first responders, emergency management personnel, emergency dispatchers, legislators, judges, etc.
• Food and Medicine Stores that sells groceries, medicine, grocery stores, pharmacies, farmers’ markets, etc.
• Food and Beverage Production and Agriculture.
• Organizations that provide charitable and social services.
• Religious and Ceremonial Functions.
• Media such as newspapers, books, TV, radio, publishing.
• Gas stations and businesses needed for transportation.
• Financial institutions and insurance entities.
• Hardware and supply stores.
• Critical Trades.
• Mail, post, shipping, logistics, deliver, and pickup services.
• Educational Institutions.
• Laundry services.
• Restaurants for off-premises consumption.
• Supplies to Work from home.
• Supplies for essential businesses and operations.
• Transportation such as airlines, taxis, marinas, docks, etc.
• Home-based care and services.
• Residential facilities and shelters.
• Professional services, such as accounting, real estate and insurance, etc.
• Manufacturing, distribution and supply chain for critical products and industries.
• Hotels and motels.
• Funeral services.
• Any business related to essential activity.
• Any other business or organization that operates at all times with ten or fewer persons accessing the premises of the business.
• The minimum necessary activities required to maintain any business or organization.
In a 45-minute Community Papers Conference Call with Governor Bill Lee on Thursday, the governor praised newspapers across the state for their assistance in getting the word out and keeping the public informed about the Coronavirus outbreak in the state.
“I am very grateful for the Tennessee Press Association and for everyone of you,” he said. “You (newspapers) have such a crucial role in getting out the information that needs to be out in the communities.”
