TBA Law Blog

TBA Law Blog

Governor Issues 2-week ‘Safer at Home’ Order

Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Mar 30, 2020
News Type: COVID-19 News

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee yesterday issued a statewide order closing non-essential businesses and asking Tennesseans to stay home for two weeks in an effort to combat the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The order is similar to restrictions already put in place by mayors in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville and governors in at least 30 other states, the Tennessean reports. It does not go as far as a few states that have mandated “shelter in place” policies. The order will take effect at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday and last through April 14. During this time, only essential businesses are to continue operating and residents are to stay home “as much as possible.” Essential services are defined to include legal services and judges, judicial branch employees, court personnel, jurors and grand jurors, as determined by the Judicial Branch.

“The TBA applauds Gov. Lee for recognizing the vital role attorneys play at this time of uncertainty and our ability to help Tennesseans,“ TBA President Sarah Sheppeard said. As the TBA stated in its previously published policy position, “Legal services are simply one of those continuing vital services that we need even as we continue to social distance and continue to combat the spread of COVID-19.”

The order also prohibits employers from requiring or allowing an employee who has tested positive for the virus to report to work until the employee has satisfied conditions for discontinuing home isolation under CDC guidelines. Finally, the governor issued a separate order specifically ordering the closure of salons, spas, concert venues, theaters and other indoor recreational facilities.

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