CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee delivered remarks in an address to the state on Sunday, Dec. 20, that included new guidance for stopping the spread of COVID-19 in anticipation of the upcoming Christmas and New Year’s holidays.
The governor’s remarks, which can be read in full on his website, included the announcement of a new executive order limiting gatherings, among several other suggestions for residents.
“We now have around 10,000 Tennesseans getting sick every day. To put that in perspective, that’s three times where we were around Halloween,” Lee said Sunday evening.
Here’s a breakdown of what these orders and suggestions mean for Clarksville residents.
1. Indoor gatherings restricted to 10 people
The governor introduced Executive Order #70 during his address.
“I am signing an order that will limit indoor public gatherings to 10 people,” the governor announced.
This restriction applies to public gatherings, but not to outdoor events, places of worship, weddings, funerals and other events related to religious ceremonies.
Additionally, this order does not apply to high school sports. The governor said that he is coordinating with TSSAA on how to limit attendance at indoor sporting events.
The executive order will expire on Jan. 19, 2021.
2. The governor urged but did not order masks
“Many think a statewide mandate would improve mask wearing; many think it would have the opposite effect. This has been a heavily politicized issue. Please do not get caught up in that and don’t misunderstand my belief in local government on this issue,” Lee said.
In lieu of a statewide order mandating the wearing of masks in public places, the state is leaving the mask mandate up to local and county governments.
Lee did urge Tennesseans to wear the masks voluntarily. “Masks work, and I want every Tennessean to wear one,” the governor said.
Montgomery County is still under a mask order, as reissued by County Mayor Jim Durrett on Dec. 9. The new mandate will be in effect until Dec. 29.
3. Lee said Tennessee is “ground zero for a surge in sickness”
According to the CDC’s COVID-19 Data Tracker, Tennessee is in second place of the states with the highest average daily cases per 100,000 residents. Oklahoma is first.
The governor said, “We are in a global pandemic that’s been crippling our country for months, and now Tennessee is ground zero for a surge in sickness.”
In Montgomery County, we have topped 10,000 cases total since March, and are averaging 193.714 new positive cases per day over the last two weeks, according to data from the Tennessee Department of Health.
On Saturday, Dec. 19, the TDH Commissioner Lisa Piercey said that the consequences of not following these suggestions around the holidays could be deadly.
“If we have another surge over Christmas, it will break our hospitals,” Piercey said according to the Tennessean.
As it stands on Monday, Tennessee tops the Forbes list for the 10 riskiest states to visit over Christmas.
4. Lee urged Tennesseans to only gather with household
The governor also asked that Tennesseans do not see family or friends over the holidays who do not live in their household, although he acknowledges how difficult a decision this is to make.
“I am asking you to not engage in indoor gatherings for the holidays that include anyone outside your household. Family time and celebrations are important. I understand deeply how much Tennessee families need each other. But we must do all that we can to blunt this surge and keep more Tennesseans from getting sick,” Lee said.
While this statement is only a suggestion, this is supported by the CDC as they advise, “Postponing travel and staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.”
5. Lee urged employers to let employees work from home
Lee is asking all employers with the capability of allowing employees to work from home to do so for the next 30 days.
“Given the current spread of COVID-19 throughout the state and the resulting strain on health care resources, persons are encouraged to work remotely or via telework from home, where possible, and all employers and businesses are strongly urged to take steps to the greatest extent practicable to equip, encourage, allow, or require employees to work remotely or via telework from home,” said the governor.
There are no mandatory stay-at-home orders, therefore not compelling employers to allow employees to work from home.