Governor issues 'Safer at Home' order
Not a 'shelter in place' order, but strong urging to stay at home
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has issued a "safer at home" order for the entire state.
That means all non-essential businesses will need to close and everyone is encouraged to stay at home whenever possible.
Cities like Knoxville, Nashville and Memphis have already issued similar orders, and physicians have been calling for Lee to do the same.
Lee said Executive Order 22 is not a mandated shelter in place order, but a strong urging to stay home when at all possible.
It includes closing businesses that cannot operate safely during this time, including salons and barbershops.
Lee said he made the decision out of fear that coronavirus would start spreading in our rural communities.
Anderson County is following the guidance of the Governor’s Executive Order No. 21, https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/pub/execorders/exec-orders-lee21.pdf and Executive Order No. 22 https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/pub/execorders/exec-orders-lee22.pdf.
“We have been actively involved across Anderson County in discussing and paying attention to the guidance of the Governor, the State Health Department and the CDC,” Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank said. “Anderson County falls under the orders issued by Governor Lee.”
“If you have questions, my office will be happy to offer assistance in seeking answers,” Mayor Frank said. “But, we urge you to read the Governor’s orders for specifics and follow his directives for the safety of all our citizens.”
“This is not a mandated Shelter in Place order…But it is a strong urging for Tennesseans to stay home when at all possible,” Governor Lee stated during his media briefing Monday afternoon.
“Your habits and your routines will make the difference,” the Governor said.
Anderson County Government and its operations currently are considered essential, according to Executive Order No. 22; employees will continue to report to work as assigned. All county government offices will continue to operate with the modifications in place, according to the Governor’s directives to limit face-to-face contact and reduce visitation to the Courthouse and other county offices. Further changes will be announced as necessary.
Anderson County Government requests that citizens call or use electronic means to allow us to serve you. The County Clerk and Trustee offices have two drive-through locations to serve citizens: Under the parking deck at the Jolley Building, adjacent to the Courthouse in Clinton, or at 728C Emory Valley Road in Oak Ridge.
Regular updates pertaining to COVID-19 are posted online at www.anderson-county.com, and a “Departmental Directory” link is available for contact information related to county offices.
Lt. Governor Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) made the statement below following Governor Lee's issuance of the "Safer at Home" executive order:
"From the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, Governor Lee has been deliberate and careful in his approach. This threat changes from day-to-day, hour-to-hour and minute-to-minute. I appreciate Governor Lee's ability to remain data-focused and flexible. Today's order is a big step but a needed one at this time. Most population centers in our state are already operating under these conditions. Essential businesses like grocery stores and pharmacies will remain open. The most important part of this order is that it sends the message the governor has been sending for many days now in no uncertain terms: stay home and stay apart."