CLARKSVILLE, Tennessee (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Montgomery County has joined the list of Tennessee counties that require everyone to wear masks in public.
County Mayor Jim Durrett issued Emergency Executive Order Friday afternoon. # 11 requiring that, starting Monday, all residents and visitors wear face covers in public to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, according to a press release from county spokeswoman Michelle Newell. Exceptions to the use of a face mask are outlined in Governor Bill Lee’s previous Executive Order # 54.
The latest order, which takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on July 20 and expires on Monday, July 27 at 12:01 a.m., requires a cloth or other facial covering over the nose and mouth to prevent spread from the virus during talking, coughing, sneezing or other actions, within all public access areas of commercial establishments; public outdoor areas where social distance of at least 6 feet cannot be maintained; and within public access areas of commercial offices where there is direct interaction with the public and social distancing of at least 6 feet cannot be maintained, according to the statement.
Businesses and facilities will be required to post signs requesting customers to wear masks. Previous orders required that anyone working in a business serving the public needed a mask. Those orders will be vacated and replaced by the new order. Suggested text for signage can be found at mcgtn.org.
According to Clarksville Now news partner WKRN, Channel 2, the other counties in Middle Tennessee that require masks are Davidson, Williamson, Sumner, Robertson, Cheatham, Rutherford, Coffee, Dickson, Maury, Putnam, Hickman, Marshall, Wilson. Elsewhere in the state, they are required in Shelby, Hamilton, Sevier, Knox, Greene and Washington counties.
Local leaders discuss mandate
On Friday, Durrett met with City Mayor Joe Pitts, as well as Sheriff John Fuson, Clarksville Police Chief David Crockarell, and Director of Medical Services Jimmie Edwards to review the mandate. Durrett also spoke to Millard House, director of the Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools, and Austin Peay State University President Alisa White.
“I realize that there are different opinions about the use of a face covering,” Durrett said in the statement. “The use of facial coatings as a preferred alternative to closing businesses and preventing reopening of schools, which could probably be necessary if no action is taken. This is the best defense against the coronavirus we have at the moment. The best thing is that we can all play a role in stopping the spread of the virus, and I have no doubt that our community prefers the use of face covers rather than continued closings of schools and businesses. “
“As always, I appreciate that Mayor Durrett brings the city to the table and asks for our opinion,” Pitts said in the statement. “We know that we are in this together and I also agree that we must do everything possible to stop the spread of this virus to have the best result for our citizens.”
Fuson and Crockarell agreed that people have generally followed the rules during this outbreak, and they commit to having their officers work first to educate and encourage the public to cover their faces before giving appointments.
National companies such as Walmart, Target, Publix and Kroger announced masking mandates this week.
The data will continue to be reviewed by local leaders and health officials and the local order will expand or cease accordingly. For more information, visit mcgtn.org or call 931-648-5787.
