CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett has decided to lift the local mask order, effective Friday.
The decision was based on the latest data on vaccination levels and COVID-19 testing results from local health officials and medical services, according to a news release from county spokeswoman Michelle Newell. The order lifts at 11:59 p.m. March 19.
Because of the number of vaccines now available and the added vaccination sites, Montgomery County is on track to have all vulnerable categories completed by the end of March, Newell said.
Despite the order being lifted, residents are still encouraged to wear masks, and masks will be required in city and county government facilities.
“Our employees and visitors will also be required to wear masks when working with the public unless a partition is between the customer and employee,” Durrett said. “We have an occupational employment duty to protect our employees and ensure the continuity of county and city operations.
“Private businesses have the right to require masks for people entering their businesses as well, and we highly encourage all people to wear masks when social distancing cannot be accomplished,” he said.
County Director of Emergency Services Jimmie Edwards said the medical community is asking that people continue to wear masks.
“Montgomery County COVID numbers and hospitalization rates are better in comparison to those counties that chose not to have a mask mandate. This is a strong indicator of the effectiveness of face-coverings,” Edwards said. “Remember, it has only been a little more than a week since the CDC suggested that small gatherings were safe among people who have been fully vaccinated.”
How to get the COVID-19 vaccine
Montgomery County is now in Phase 1c of the vaccination process, meaning individuals 16 or older with high-risk health conditions, caregivers and those who share a household with persons 16 and younger who have high-risk health conditions and pregnant women are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Health Department: To register for a vaccination appointment online through the county health department, visit https://covid19.tn.gov/covid-19-vaccines/vaccine-phases/. Click Montgomery County on the map, click “Make an Appointment” to register, then enter the name and contact information to be notified of the appointment date, time and location as soon as the vaccine becomes available.
Individuals who do not have access to the internet should call 866-442-5301 to make an appointment.
All other pharmacies and clinics: Visit Clarksville Now’s updated list of all the locations offering the vaccine to the public in Montgomery County, and how to register at each location.
How to get a COVID-19 test
Free COVID-19 testing is offered by the Montgomery County Health Department at the former Sears location at Governor’s Square Mall, located at 2801 Wilma Rudolph Blvd., from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. Drive-thru testing is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and self-administered kits are now available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Follow the signs to the drive-up testing site.
Three Walgreens locations in Clarksville offer self-administered, drive-thru COVID-19 tests. The location at 2109 Wilma Rudolph Blvd. offers the Rapid Diagnostic COVID-19 test, and the locations at 1954 Madison Street and 1460 Fort Campbell Blvd. offer the PCR Diagnostic Test. To make an appointment at Walgreens, visit their website.