TN Governor Extends State of Emergency to Aug. 29

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee extended the State of Emergency related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to August 29th on Monday.

KYTN reports that with the extension, the allowance for continued suspension of various laws and regulations and other measures to facilitate the treatment and containment of COVID-19 will be extended. This includes the continuance of social distancing, avoidance of large gatherings, and protecting of vulnerable populations.

The order includes urging Tennesseans to continue limiting activity, maintaining social distancing, and staying home where possible. It also urges the use of cloth face coverings in places where people are in close proximity to others, urges employers to allow or require remote/telework if possible, and limits social and recreational gatherings of 50 or more persons, unless adequate social distancing can be maintained. This does not apply to places of worship, for which there are guidelines for safe operation of worship services and gatherings.

Lee also signed orders that extend provisions for electronic government meetings, subject to transparency safeguards, and remote notarization and witnessing of documents, also through August 29th.