Please take a few minutes to read the summarized version of the orders that will answer many of your questions…. It’s all right here!
Essential Services as outlined by the Governor’s Office include: (NOTE– for a detailed description of the below services, please click on the following link. It can be found on pages 7-12 of Executive Order 22) https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/pub/execorders/exec-orders-lee22.pdf
- Health Care and Public Health Operations
- Human Services Operations
- Essential Infrastructure Operations
- Essential Government Functions
- Food and Medicine Stores
- Food and Beverage Production and Agriculture
- Organizations that Provide Charitable and Social Services
- Religious and Ceremonial Functions
- Media
- Gas Stations and Businesses Needed for Transportation
- Financial Institutions and Insurance Entities
- Hardware and Supply Stores
- Critical Trades
- Mail, Post, Shipping, Logistics, Delivery, and Pick-up Services
- Educational Institutions
- Laundry Services
- Restaurants for Off-Premises Consumption
- Supplies to Work for Home
- Supplies for Essential Businesses and Operations
- Transportation
- Home-based Care and Services
- Residential Facilities and Shelters
- Professional Services
- Manufacturing, Distribution and Supply Chain for Critical Products and Industries
- Hotels and Motels
- Funeral Services
Non-Essential Services as outlined by the Governor’s Office include:
- Barber Shops
- Hair Salons
- Waxing Salons
- Threading Salons
- Nail Salons or spas
- Spas providing body treatments
- Body-art facilities or tattoo services
- Tanning salons
- Massage-therapy establishments or massaging services
- Night clubs
- Bowling alleys
- Arcades
- Concert venues
- Theaters, auditoriums, performing arts centers, or similar facilities
- Indoor children’s play areas
- Adult entertainment venues
- Amusement parks
- Roller or ice-skating rinks.
What is considered Essential Activity as outlined by the Governor’s Office?
- 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 follow 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 below:
- 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.
Please note that if you engage in “essential activity”, you must implement the following precautions as outlined by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention:
- Working from home whenever possible;
- Avoiding social gatherings of ten (10) or more people;
- Avoiding eating or drinking at restaurants, bars, and food courts, and instead using drive-thru, pick-up, or delivery options;
- Avoiding discretionary travel and social visits;
- Avoiding discretionary visits to nursing homes, retirement homes, or long-term care facilities;
- Avoiding close contact with people who are sick, and distancing oneself from others, especially those who are at higher risk of getting sick, including in particular older adults and persons with serious chronic medical conditions; and
- Practicing good personal hygiene, including washing hands, especially after touching any frequently used item or surface, avoiding touching the face, and disinfecting frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible; and
- the CDC advises that “the best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus,” and the best way to avoid being exposed to the virus is to remain home except as necessary to engage in essential activities, in which case the following health guidelines consistent with the President’s and CDC’s guidance above (hereafter referred to as “Health Guidelines”) should be followed: (1) Maintaining a distance of at least six (6) feet between themselves and others, except for family or household members; and (2) Practicing good personal hygiene, including washing hands, especially after touching any frequently used item or surface, avoiding touching the face, and disinfecting frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible;
A complete list of all Executive Orders issued by Governor Bill Lee can be found by clicking the link https://www.sos.tn.gov/products/division-publications/executive-orders-governor-bill-lee.