Gov. Lee Extends State of Emergency to Aug. 29, 2020


New executive orders extend key provisions from previous orders
Monday, June 29, 2020 | 02:00pm

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Governor Bill Lee today signed Executive Order No. 50 to extend the State of Emergency related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to August 29, 2020. The order allows the continued suspension of various laws and regulations and other measures in these orders to facilitate the treatment and containment of COVID-19 through regulatory flexibility, promoting social distancing and avoidance of large gatherings, and protecting vulnerable populations.

Gov. Lee also signed Executive Order Nos. 51 and 52, which extend provisions that allow for electronic government meetings subject to transparency safeguards and remote notarization and witnessing of documents, respectively, to August 29, 2020.

Executive Order No. 50

Executive Order No. 50 extends previous provisions that:

  • Urge Tennesseans to continue limiting activity and staying home where possible, as well as following health guidelines and maintaining social distancing;
  • Urge persons to wear a cloth face covering in places where in close proximity to others;
  • Urge employers to allow or require remote work/telework if possible;
  • Provide that persons with COVID-19 or COVID-19 symptoms are required to stay at home, and that employers may not require or allow employees with COVID-19 to work;
  • Limit social and recreational gatherings of 50 or more persons, unless adequate social distancing can be maintained (the 6 counties with locally run county health departments may issue different directives on gatherings)
    • This does not apply to places of worship, for which there are guidelines for safe operation of worship services and gatherings, though places of worship are urged to continue virtual or online services where possible;
    • This does not apply to weddings, funerals, and related events, but encourages postponement of large-gathering components of such events;
  • Limit contact sports with a requirement or substantial likelihood of routine close contact
    • This does not apply to collegiate or professional sports conducted under the rules or guidelines of their respective governing bodies and does not prohibit training or otherwise practicing the elements of such sports that do not involve close contact with persons;
  • Limit nursing home and long-term-care facility visitation, while providing a framework for safe, limited visitation set forth in Executive Order No. 49, and continue the closure of senior centers;
  • Provide that employers and businesses are expected to comply with the Governor’s Economic Recovery Group Guidelines (e.g., Tennessee Pledge) for operating safely, as well as general health guidelines from the CDC and other government entities (the 6 counties with locally run county health departments have authority to issue different directives on businesses/venues);
  • Provide that bars may only serve customers seated at appropriately spaced tables and must follow the Economic Recovery Group Guidelines (e.g., Tennessee Pledge) for restaurants (the 6 counties with locally run county health departments have authority to issue different directives on businesses/venues);
  • Urge persons and businesses to take special care to protect vulnerable populations, including by offering delivery or special shopping hours where possible;
  • Allow take-out and delivery alcohol sales by restaurants and limited-service restaurants to continue to encourage customers to utilize take-out or delivery options;
  • Allow broad access to telehealth services;
  • Increase opportunities for people to easily join the healthcare workforce;
  • Provide easier access to unemployment benefits;
  • Ensure supply chain protections;
  • Extend deadlines and suspend certain in-person continuing education or inspection requirements to avoid unnecessary person-to-person contact; and
  • Increase opportunities to work remotely where appropriate.

A more complete list of measures extended beyond June 30 to promote regulatory flexibility, facilitate social distancing and avoidance of large gatherings, and support supply chains and health care providers includes:

  • Health care licenses, certificates, and registrations are extended until August 31, 2020, and the number of health care professionals and facilities that are eligible for an extension is increased.
  • Degree holders in science fields can work as laboratory personnel under supervision. Allows more qualified graduates to work in medical laboratories.
  • Testing for COVID-19 can occur at more medical laboratory facilities. Allows for more widespread testing related to COVID-19.
  • Driver licenses and photo ID renewal deadlines are further extended. CDL license types remain extended until June 30, 2020; other types are extended until November 15, 2020. More people qualify for an extension.
  • Deadlines for payments to reinstate driver licenses are further extended. More people qualify for an extension.
  • Enhanced handgun carry permits are further extended through November 15, 2020. More people qualify for an extension.
  • Deadlines for persons with interlock ignition devices are further suspended. More people qualify for an extension.
  • Professional educational and training deadlines administered by the Department of Commerce and Insurance may be extended. The Department now has the authority to extend testing deadlines for regulated professions.
  • Activation of Tennessee Emergency Management Plan.
  • Out-of-state health care providers may practice in Tennessee.
  • Prescriptions available in 90-day supply.
  • Increased availability of home health services.
  • Notarization is not required for health care applications.
  • Retired medical professionals can easily reenter the health care workforce.
  • Continuing education requirements are suspended to allow health care professionals to receive such education through electronic means.
  • Laboratory inspections are suspended to allow for immediate COVID-19 testing.
  • Health care licensing inspections and investigations are suspended to increase resources available to fight COVID-19 and to protect public health.
  • Inspections of pain management clinics are suspended.
  • Inspections of health care facilities are suspended.
  • Inspections of medical laboratories are suspended.
  • Inspections of pharmaceutical facilities are suspended.
  • Inspections of veterinary facilities are suspended.
  • Live human patient examinations are suspended for dentistry applicants, and the Board of Dentistry may modify licensing procedures accordingly.
  • Memoranda of Understanding with the Department of Health to obtain confidential personal health information are enforceable emergency orders.
  • Nursing graduates may practice under supervision without examination.
  • Expanding locations for autopsies.
  • Pharmacists can process prescriptions remotely.
  • Each pharmacist can supervise more pharmacy technicians.
  • Medical laboratory directors can monitor facilities remotely.
  • Pre-license, post-degree mental or behavioral health professionals can provide telehealth services under supervision.
  • Medical laboratory personnel can work remotely.
  • Increased number of hospital beds available for COVID-19 patients.
  • Regulations of emergency medical services are suspended to increase services.
  • Temporary quarantine and isolation facilities may be constructed.
  • Size and weight transportation restrictions suspended for emergency supplies.
  • Transportation hours of service restrictions suspended for emergency supplies.
  • Certain criteria for unemployment benefits are suspended to ensure such benefits are available to COVID 19-affected employees.
  • Unemployment information from employers required more quickly to process benefits faster.
  • Child care licensure and assessment requirements are suspended to facilitate continued operation of child care facilities.
  • Examination cycle of financial institutions may be extended.
  • Deadline for TNInvestco annual audited financial statement reports extended until July 31, 2020.
  • Departments may extend deadlines to deposit state funds to protect state employees/customers.
  • Deadline for ethics filings is extended until July 15, 2020.
  • Deadlines for law enforcement training are extended.
  • Free copies of business entity filings available for those using them to seek state or federal disaster relief.
  • Board of Parole may modify procedures to protect public health.
  • Suspends temporary application of safety valve provisions resulting from the temporary decrease in TDOC prisoners.
  • Governor has discretion to utilize National Guard members in connection with TDOC operations if needed.
  • Motor vehicle dealers can record liens with the Secretary of State.
  • Administration of driving tests is suspended.
  • Issuance of REAL-ID is suspended.
  • Tennessee Corrections Institute transfer procedures are adjusted to respond to COVID-19.
  • Tennessee Corrections Institute may flexibly respond to COVID-19 issues.
  • Deadlines for building code and building plan inspections may be extended.
  • Notarization requirements for bonds and certain legal documents are suspended.
  • Deadline for firefighters to complete training may be extended.
  • Deadline for law enforcement and firefighter physical examinations is extended until October 1, 2020.
  • Deadline for peace officers to complete training may be suspended.
  • Annual meeting of the Tennessee Judicial Conference is suspended.
  • Time periods for completing securities registration requirements may be extended.
  • Remote shareholder meetings permitted under certain conditions.
  • Discretionary leave available for state employees affected by COVID-19.
  • Inspections of mental health and substance abuse facilities and services are suspended.
  • Telephone assessments for involuntary commitment cases are permitted.
  • TennCare policies adjusted to prevent coverage disruptions.
  • Limitations on emergency admissions to Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities facilities are suspended.
  • Medication administration certificates may be extended for Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities personnel.
  • Suspending requirements not feasible during COVID-19 pandemic to maintain service levels for persons supported by Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
  • Health insurance carriers encouraged to take steps necessary to maximize access to COVID-19 treatment, screening, and testing.
  • Telemedicine access is expanded.
  • All licensed health care providers can practice telemedicine.
  • Tennessee Bureau of Investigation may conduct name-based background checks.
  • Deadline to remove expunged records is suspended.

Executive Order No. 51

Executive Order No. 16, as previously extended by Executive Order No. 34, which allows governing bodies to meet electronically regarding essential business as long as they provide electronic access to the public and meet the safeguards established in that order to ensure openness and transparency, is extended through August 29 to ensure that governmental entities are able to carry out essential business in a safe, transparent way without creating large gatherings in a confined space and endangering persons, particularly those at increased risk of suffering severe illness from COVID-19, while determinations of how best to return to safe, in-person governmental meetings remain ongoing.

Executive Order No. 52

Executive Order No. 26, as previously extended by Executive Order No. 37, which allows for remote notarization and witnessing of documents, subject to compliance with certain procedures, is extended through August 29 to ensure that persons, and particularly populations especially vulnerable to COVID-19, including older adults and persons with compromised immune systems or serious chronic medical conditions, can continue to engage in commerce and execute legal documents without requiring in-person contact.

2024 October
2024 September
2024 August
2024 July
2024 June
2024 May
2024 April
2024 March
2024 February
2024 January
2023 December
2023 November
2023 October
2023 September
2023 August
2023 July
2023 June
2023 May
2023 April
2023 March
2023 February
2023 January
2022 December
2022 November
2022 October
2022 September
2022 August
2022 July
2022 June
2022 May
2022 April
2022 March
2022 February
2022 January
2021 December
2021 November
2021 October
2021 September
2021 August
2021 July
2021 June
2021 May
2021 April
2021 March
2021 February
2021 January
2020 December
2020 November
2020 October
2020 September
2020 August
2020 July
2020 June
2020 May
2020 April
2020 March
2020 February
2020 January
2019 December
2019 November
2019 October
2019 September
2019 August
2019 July
2019 June
2019 May
2019 April
2019 March
2019 February
2019 January
2018 December
2018 November
2018 October
2018 September
2018 August
2018 July
2018 June
2018 May
2018 April
2018 March
2018 February
2018 January
2017 December
2017 November
2017 October
2017 September
2017 August
2017 July
2017 June
2017 May
2017 April
2017 March
2017 February
2017 January
2016 December
2016 November
2016 October
2016 September
2016 August
2016 July
2016 June
2016 May
2016 April
2016 March
2016 February
2016 January
2015 December
2015 November
2015 October
2015 September
2015 August
2015 July
2015 June
2015 May
2015 April
2015 March
2015 February
2015 January
2014 December
2014 November
2014 October
2014 September
2014 August
2014 July
2014 June
2014 May
2014 April
2014 March
2014 February
2014 January
2013 December
2013 November
2013 October
2013 September
2013 August
2013 July
2013 June
2013 May
2013 April
2013 March
2013 February
2013 January
2012 December
2012 November
2012 October
2012 September
2012 August
2012 July
2012 June
2012 May
2012 April
2012 March
2012 February
2012 January
2011 December
2011 November
2011 October
2011 September
2011 August
2011 July
2011 June
2011 May
2011 April
2011 March
2011 February
2011 January
2010 December
2010 November
2010 October
2010 September
2010 August
2010 July
2010 June
2010 May