Sunday (3/22/2020), Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed Executive Order 17 calling for businesses across the state to utilize alternative business models beginning at midnight CDT on Monday, March 23, 2020 until midnight CDT April 6, 2020. Governor Lee stated...
The order shuts down all bars in Tennessee and mandates restaurants to only sell take-out, pick-up or delivery meals...
Below are some of the details under Order 17 dealing with restaurants, bars, and similar 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/exercise centers or substantially similar facilities are to temporarily close and suspend in-person services until April 6, 2020. In the interim, these businesses are encouraged to pursue digital programming if possible.
The order also pursues additional measures to keep vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with underlying conditions safe.
• 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.
"I urge every Tennessean to take these actions seriously - our physical and economic health depend on this as we work to beat COVID-19," said Lee.
More information regarding COVID-19, health resources and support for small business is available HERE.
