Member Article

On March 30, 2020, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee issued Executive Order No. 21, an order amending Executive Order No. 17 to further mitigate the spread of COVID-19 by limiting non-essential services and gatherings. The order expands the list of businesses and venues that perform close-contact personal services that are required to close to the public. The Order also amends the effective date in Executive Order No. 17, so that the order remains effective until midnight CDT on April 14, 2020.

Executive Order No. 21 directs the closure of businesses or organizations that perform close-contact personal services, including, but 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.
  
  

The Order also directs the closure of entertainment and recreational gathering venues including, but not limited to:

• Night clubs;
• Bowling alleys;
• Arcades;
• 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.
  
  

The second directive issued by Gov. Lee, Executive Order No. 22, directs Tennesseans to stay home unless engaging in essential activities to limit their exposure to and spread of COVID-19. This order will take effect at midnight CDT on April 1, 2020, and remain enforceable through April 14, 2020. The Order directs the following:

• Tennesseans are urged, but not mandated, to stay at home as much as possible for a temporary period of time, except for when engaging in Essential Activity or Essential Services as defined in the Order.
• Closure of non-essential business 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. Those businesses may provide delivery, including delivery curbside outside, 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.

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