CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – After a 297 person jump in 24 hours, Governor Bill Lee has implemented a statewide order to close all non-essential businesses in Tennessee. There are currently 1,834 positive cases of COVID-19 in the state.

Executive Order 22, signed today by Governor Lee, restricts businesses that cannot conduct businesses safely during this time. This includes barber shops, entertainment businesses, etc.

“We must protect our economy while protecting the lives of Tennesseans,” said Governor Lee.

The state Department of Health is also reporting 13 fatalities throughout the state. An additional 15 people have been hospitalized in the past 24 hours as a result of the virus. Recently over 1,500 healthcare professionals across the state wrote a letter to the Governor urging him to institute a “Shelter in Place” directive.

Governor Lee urged Tennesseans who were able, to stay home and stay safe “to protect the lives of your neighbors…to protect the well being of our healthcare workers.”

What is considered an essential business?

This designation may vary from state to state or even down to the local level. There are many similarities however and the Department of Homeland Security has even weighed in on the issue.

Essential Businesses Include:

  • Supermarkets and grocery stores
  • Big-box stores
  • Pharmacies
  • Convenience stores and discount stores
  • Garbage collection
  • Infrastructure operations (public works, water, sewer, electric)
  • Healthcare operations
  • Daycare centers
  • Hardware stores
  • Gas stations and auto-repair shops
  • Banks and insurance entities
  • Critical tradesman (HVAC, janitors, pest control, plumbers, electricians)
  • Laundry services (dry cleaning, Laundromat, etc)
  • Post offices and shipping businesses
  • Veterinary clinics and pet stores
  • Farmers’ markets and food banks
  • Businesses that provide necessities to shelters and economically disadvantaged people
  • Charitable and social services
  • Educational institutions, for the purposes of facilitating distance learning
  • Agriculture and food processing
  • Warehousing, storage, and distribution
  • Transportation, including airlines, taxis, rideshare programs, and vehicle rentals
  • Professional services (insurance, accounting, and real estate services such as title services and appraisal)
  • Businesses that allow essential businesses to operate

Read the whole Executive Order here.

The counties in red represent counties that have, or had, positive cases of COVID-19:


Count as of March 30 according to the TN Dept of Health:
Anderson – 9
Bedford – 1
Benton – 3
Bledsoe – 2
Blount – 10
Bradley – 9
Campbell – 4
Cannon – 2
Carroll – 5
Carter – 1
Cheatham – 8
Chester – 3
Claiborne – 2
Cocke – 1
Coffee – 1
Cumberland – 11
Davidson – 364 (Metro Health reports 443 cases)
DeKalb – 4
Dickson – 12
Dyer – 3
Fayette – 10
Fentress – 1
Franklin – 5
Gibson – 5
Greene – 12
Grundy – 2
Hamblen – 2
Hamilton – 40
Hardeman – 1
Hardin – 1
Hawkins – 4
Haywood – 2
Henry – 1
Houston – 1
Jefferson – 5
Johnson – 2
Knox – 52
Lewis – 2
Lincoln – 1
Loudon – 8
Macon – 3
Madison – 5
Marion – 6
Marshall – 1
Maury – 11
McMinn – 3
McNairy – 1
Meigs – 1
Monroe – 3
Montgomery – 13
Morgan – 1
Obion – 1
Overton – 2
Perry – 2
Putnam – 24
Roane – 2
Robertson – 27
Rutherford – 57
Scott – 2
Sevier – 7
Shelby – 396 (Shelby County Health Dept reports 362)
Smith – 1
Sullivan – 11
Sumner – 164
Tipton – 16
Trousdale – 3
Unicoi – 1
Union – 1
Warren – 1
Washington – 14
Wayne – 1
Weakley – 1
White – 1
Williamson – 111
Wilson – 32
Out of TN – 192
Pending – 101

TOTAL: 1,834

There have been 23,304 tests conducted throughout the state for the virus.

If you feel you may be experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, contact your primary care provider but there are multiple testing sites available in Montgomery County.

“Your habits and your routines will make the difference as we work to swiftly defeat COVID-19,” said Governor Bill Lee.