July 9th update to include ADDENDUM TO DECLARATION OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY BY WILLIAMSON COUNTY MAYOR

 On July 3, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed Executive Order 54 to grant county mayors in 89 counties the authority to issue local requirements that citizens wear face coverings in public places in order to slow the spread of COVID-19 cases, which have significantly risen in recent weeks.   Governor Lee encouraged every Tennessean across the state to use a face covering or mask, to socially distance and wash hands frequently.    Pursuant to this Order, Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson issued an emergency declaration requiring that citizens wear a cloth or other face covering in certain circumstances in order to slow the spread of COVID-19 and thus allow our businesses to remain open, and our schools to reopen in the fall. 

The Mayor's declaration included several exceptions to the face covering requirement. As implementation began, it became clear that clarification and/or correction of two of the exceptions is needed and the Mayor has issued an addendum to the declaration for that purpose.   First, the addendum clarifies that the exception for children applies to children 12 and under, rather than children under 12. Second, the addendum clarifies that the exception for houses of worship also applies to religious ceremonies (including such ceremonies as weddings and funerals) and activities attendant thereto that occur at locations other than churches. 

We appreciate the support and cooperation of our citizens as we continue with the measures in order to protect the health and safety of our citizens and allow our economy to remain open. The addendum will expire at the same time as the original order, which is set to expire at 11 :59 p.m. on August 3, 2020. 

COVID-19 Press Release Mask Addendum

IT IS ORDERED that the emergency declaration and dated July 6, 2020 does not apply to: 

 1. Any person who is age 12 or under (rather than under age 12 as previously stated); or to
2. Persons in a place of worship or participating in any type of religious ceremony or activity attendant thereto (unless a face covering is required by the place of worship or other location where the religious ceremony is taking place), although persons in places of worship or otherwise participating in religious ceremonies or activities attendant thereto are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings to slow the spread of COVID-19.

On July 3, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed Executive Order 54 to grant county mayors in 89 counties the authority to issue local mask requirements in the event of a significant rise in COVID-19 cases.  Today, Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson issued an emergency proclamation requiring anyone entering a commercial or public building in Williamson County, including the City of Brentwood to wear a protective mask. The proclamation goes into effect at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, and will expire on August 3, 2020 at 11:59 p.m., unless sooner cancelled or extended.

 “We are now facing a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases over a short period of time,” said Brentwood Mayor Rhea Little.   “In order to prevent the overrunning of our medical infrastructure it is vital that we all use every way possible to lower the daily new case numbers as rapidly as possible.  For this reason, we are in support of Mayor Rogers Anderson’s order.   This is imperative as we plan to reopen schools, businesses and enjoy other activities as we have in the past.  Please protect your family and others,” Mayor Little added.

The emergency proclamation applies throughout Williamson County, including within its six cities and provides the following exemptions from wearing a mask:

• Within one’s residence or automobile, unless transporting others for hire;
• By a child twelve (12) years of age or younger;
• By someone who has trouble breathing due to an underlying health condition or another bona fide medical or health-related reason for not wearing a face covering;
• By someone who is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cloth face covering without assistance;
• While eating or drinking;
• While outdoors, unless the person cannot substantially maintain appropriate social distancing from others outside of the person’s household;
• While working under conditions where appropriate social distancing from others outside of the person’s household is substantially maintained;
• Persons who are engaging in strenuous exercise and/or physical activity, provided, however, that such persons shall maintain 6-foot social distancing when not wearing a face covering;
• In situations in which wearing a face covering poses a safety or security risk;
• While in a house of worship unless required by that house of worship, but wearing a face covering in such locations is strongly encouraged; or
• While in a voting site for the purpose of voting or administering an election, but wearing a face covering in such locations is strongly encouraged.

Health experts at the local, state and national levels have made it clear the Coronavirus is more likely to spread through close contact indoors, particularly with large gatherings in which people don’t practice social distancing or wear a mask or face covering.