NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WTVF) – Gov. Bill Lee has extended the state of emergency in Tennessee until February.
Lee signed three executive orders on Tuesday, including executive order no. 73, which comes into force at 12:59 on December 29 and extends until 12:59 on February 27.
In addition to extending the state of emergency, it also allows county mayors to apply mask mandates. Governor Lee has resisted continued calls to implement a statewide mask order.
Executive Orders 71 and 72, respectively, extend remote meetings for governing bodies and remote notarization provisions.
The state is struggling to cope with the worst new rise in COVID-19 infection per capita in the country during a relaxing holiday season.
Earlier this week, Lee signed Executive Order 70, which limits public meetings to 10 people and does not allow viewers on the K-12. Collegiate and professional sports are “subject to the rules, protocols or guidelines of their respective institutions and governing bodies.”
The order does not include weddings, funerals or churches. Still, he says it is recommended to “encourage” places of worship to continue using virtual or online services and meetings and to postpone weddings or funerals.
The limitation of social gatherings also does not apply to spaces that can accommodate multiple social gatherings of less than ten people, as long as they are distant. Nor does it impose any restrictions on the capacity of the restaurant or bar.
This order remains in force until January 20, 2021.