Tennessee Governor Bill Lee (R) signed an executive order Friday that allows mayors in 89 of the state’s 95 counties to issue local mask requirements if they experience an increase in COVID-19 cases.
The remaining six counties in the state already had the authority to issue masking mandates as needed. Several of the state’s largest counties have imposed a mask requirement.
“While our densely populated urban areas continue to have the highest COVID-19 case rates, our local governments expressed the need for more flexibility to address an increase in cases and that includes setting stronger expectations around masks” Lee said on Twitter.
Today I signed Executive Order 54 to give county mayors in 89 counties the authority to issue local mask requirements in the event of a significant increase in COVID-19 cases.
– Governor Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) July 3, 2020
Voluntary status is among those experiencing an increase in cases. On Friday Tennessee Department of Health reported 1,822 new cases, with a confirmed total of 48,712, an increase of 4 percent from the previous day.
“This specific approach ensures that we protect both lives and livelihoods and keep our economy open securely in Tennessee,” said Lee. “We encourage all Tennesseens across the state to wear a face mask or mask, be sure to socially distance yourself and wash your hands frequently.”
According to the Tennessean, some local mayors had trouble enforcing mask policies before Lee’s executive order.
Last month, Wilson County Mayor Randall Hutto tried to impose a mask requirement in his jurisdiction, but was forced to lower the “strongly encourage” requirement after concerns about his authority arose.
“We want people to stay safe as they resume their activities,” Hutto told the Tennessean.
.
