NASHVILLE, Tenn (CLARKSVILLENOW) – On Monday, April 20, Governor Bill Lee announced that his order for Tennesseans to remain home will expire on April 30, with a majority of businesses being allowed to re-open the following day.

The Governor’s decision follows a round of protests in Nashville as well other major cities in Tennessee and across the nation, with protester’s advocating for their state’s return to normalcy.

Governors around the country have taken varied stances to the prospect of lifting stay at home owners at this time. Nearby, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced April 15 that he would work in coordination with Ohio and Indiana on plans to reopen their economies in stages. He has also issued guidance in the form of seven benchmarks to reopen the Commonwealth’s economy.

“Our Economic Recovery Group is working with industry leaders around the clock so that some businesses can open as soon as Monday, April 27,” said Gov. Lee. “These businesses will open according to specific guidance that we will provide in accordance with state and national experts in both medicine and business.”

The Lee Adminstration will work with Shelby, Madison, Davidson, Hamilton, Knox and Sullivan counties and their health departments as they plan their own re-open strategies.

“While I am not extending the safer at home order past the end of April, we are working directly with our major metropolitan areas to ensure they are in a position to reopen as soon and safely as possible,” said Lee. “Social distancing works, and as we open up our economy it will be more important than ever that we keep social distancing as lives and livelihoods depend on it.”

As of Monday, April 20, the Tennessee Department of Health has reported a total of 7,238 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 152 deaths. Montgomery County has reported 122 cases and two deaths from the virus.

For up to date information on Tennessee’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, visit them online.