NASHVILLE, TN (WLAF) – Governor Bill Lee issued a new executive order on Thursday afternoon.  The new executive order mandates that Tennesseans stay home unless they are carrying out essential activities. 

What are considered essential activities?  Here is a brief overview.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • Engaging in Essential Travel, as defined: Travel related to Essential Activity or otherwise permitted by this Order; Travel related to performing Essential Services; Travel to care for the elderly, minors, dependents, persons with disabilities, or other vulnerable persons; Travel to or from educational institutions for purposes of receiving materials for distance learning, for receiving meals, and any other related services. Travel to and from outside of the State of Tennessee; or Travel required by law, law enforcement, or court order, including to transport children pursuant to a custody agreement.

Executive Order 23 will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. April 14, 2020.  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 04/03/2020-6AM)

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