TN Governor signs Executive Order 17, urges businesses to use alternative models.

Sunday, March 22nd, Gov. Bill Lee has signed an executive order for businesses such as restaurants and gyms, and is lifting some alcohol restrictions in response to COVID-19 as well.

Executive Order 17 mandates businesses across the state to use alternative methods starting at midnight on Monday, March 23, 2020 through midnight April 6, 2020. This order also outlines methods businesses and citizens should use in order to protect the most vulnerable citizens in our state.

The Executive Order 17 that goes into effect at midnight tonight prohibits large gatherings of 10 or more and mandates the following provisions for restaurants, bars, and other food and drink establishments:

• Establishments are to exclusively offer drive-thru, take-out or delivery options to support families, businesses and the food supply chain during this emergency.
• Establishments may sell alcohol by take-out or delivery (with the purchase of food) in closed containers to those who are age 21 and up.

Gyms and fitness centers must temporarily close, and will suspend in-person services until April 6th, and are encouraged to utilize digital programming as an alternative.

In order to keep the vulnerable citizens of the population safe, such as the elderly or those with underlying health conditions, other measures have been put in to place such as:

• Visitation to nursing homes, retirement homes, and long-term care or assisted-living facilities is now limited to visits involving essential care only.
• Businesses are encouraged to enact policies that take extra steps to assist vulnerable populations by considering measures such as shopping hours exclusive from the general public.

Gov. Bill Lee states that he “urges every Tennessean to take these actions seriously – our physical and economic health depend on this as we work to beat COVID-19.”

The Governor’s order comes after Mayor John Cooper of Nashville announced a “Safer at Home” order for Davidson County residents, that mandates all non-essential businesses in Davidson County beginning March 23rd. This mandate is said to tentatively last two weeks, and encourages all Davidson County Residents to stay home.