Skip to content
The COVID Project
  1. Library
  2. Tennessee
  3. TN-004

Ex. TN-004 Order Primary source read

Executive Order No. 17

An Order to Mitigate the Spread of COVID-19 by Limiting Social Gatherings, Dine-In Service, and Gym Use, and Exposure at Nursing and Retirement Homes, and Providing Flexibility for Restaurants Regarding the Sale of Alcohol

Governor Bill Lee · Tennessee (State)

The COVID Project

The record

Jurisdiction
Tennessee
Level
State
Authority
Tenn. Code Ann. § 58-2-107(e) (orders 'concerning entry and exit and the occupancy of premises within an emergency area, and... the conduct of civilians and the calling of public meetings and gatherings')
Issued
2020-03-22 Mar. 22, 2020
Effective
12:01 a.m. CDT Mar. 23, 2020 (read as 2020-03-23)
End
Originally 12:01 a.m. Apr. 6, 2020 (¶ 7); extended to 11:59 p.m. Apr. 14 by EO 21 and to 11:59 p.m. Apr. 30, 2020 by EO 27; superseded and repealed by EO 30 effective Apr. 29, 2020 (EO 30 ¶ 15) as amended by EO 29 from Apr. 27, 2020 (read as 2020-04-06)
In force
Mar. 23, 2020 to Apr. 6, 2020
Quarters
2020 Q2
Limitation types
Business closureTelework mandateGathering capHealth care ordersAlcohol and bars
Addressees
  • all persons in Tennessee
  • restaurants, bars, nightclubs and similar establishments
  • gyms and fitness centers
  • nursing homes, retirement homes, long-term care and assisted-living facilities
  • offices, workplaces and businesses that remain open
Functions reached
  • DR dining rooms closed statewide
  • BA bars and nightclubs closed
  • FC gyms and fitness centers closed
  • GATH events of 10 or more prohibited
  • VS nursing-home and assisted-living visitation barred
  • OP/TELE employees 'should work from home where feasible'
  • CB customer base barred from onsite dining and gyms
Collection
Tennessee TN

Operative words

1.a. Persons in the State of Tennessee shall not participate in social gatherings of ten (10) or more people. b. Persons in the State of Tennessee shall not eat or drink onsite at restaurants, bars, or other similar food or drink establishments, and shall not visit gyms or fitness/exercise centers or substantially similar facilities. c. Restaurants, bars, and similar food or drink establishments, including nightclubs, shall not be open to persons, except only to offer drive-through, pickup, carry-out, or delivery service for food or drink... d. Gyms or fitness/exercise centers or substantially similar facilities shall not be open to members or the public... e. Persons in the State of Tennessee shall not visit nursing homes, retirement homes, or long-term care or assisted-living facilities, unless to provide essential assistance or to visit residents receiving imminent end-of-life care... 4. For offices, workplaces, and businesses that remain open, employees should work from home where feasible... 5. The provisions of Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 57... are temporarily suspended to the extent necessary to allow restaurants... to sell for take-out or delivery alcoholic beverages or beer... 6. Any state or local law, order, rule, or regulation inconsistent with this Order is hereby suspended. 7. This Order shall be effective and enforceable at 12:01 a.m., Central Daylight Time, on March 23, 2020

Enforcement

'effective and enforceable' (¶ 7); Tenn. Code Ann. § 58-2-120 (Class A misdemeanor for violation of an order under Title 58, ch. 2)

Notes

First statewide closure order; ¶ 2 states the order 'does not mandate sheltering in place'; ¶ 3 keeps critical infrastructure operating; alcohol to-go authorized (¶ 5)

Retrieval note

Text read in full.