After Gov. Bill Lee signed a new mandatory executive order requiring Tennesseans to stay at home unless it is essential business, travel, activities or services, many Tennesseans want to know what qualifies as essential.
Lee issued Executive Order No. 22 on March 30, putting a statewide safer at home order in place which restricts businesses that cannot possibly safely operate during COVID-19 including businesses like barbershops, salons, recreational and entertainment outfits. The order, at the same time, provided for the continuation of essential businesses throughout every county in order to protect Tennessee’s economy and keep communities safe.
Lee then signed Executive Order 23 Thursday, which requires that Tennesseans stay home unless they are carrying out essential activities because data showed an increase in citizen movement across the state.
Essential activities, according to the orders, are defined as things like going to the pharmacy for medications, going to the grocery store, providing, facilitating or delivering food orders, outdoor activities like walking within the CDC health guidelines and caring for or visiting a family members or friends within the CDC health guidelines.
According to Executive Order 22, essential travel means;
- Travel related to performing Essential Services;
- Travel to care for the elderly, minors, dependents, persons with disabilities, or
other vulnerable persons; - Travel to or from educational institutions for purposes of receiving materials
for distance learning, for receiving meals, and any other related services. - Travel to and from outside of the State of Tennessee; or
- Travel required by law, law enforcement, or court order, including to transport
children pursuant to a custody agreement.
Your business is essential if it is listed either in:
(1) The Memorandum on Identification of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers During COVID Response issued by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) of the United States Department of Homeland Security. Please refer to pages 5-15 of the Memorandum which is available here or
(2) Attachment A to Executive Order No. 22.
For purposes of reviewing Attachment A, you may find guidelines for your specific industry using the page and paragraph references below, according to TN.gov:
· Health Care and Public Health Operations (Section 2, Page 7)
· Human Services Operations (Section 3, Page 7)
· Essential Infrastructure Operations (Section 4, Page 8)
· Essential Government Functions (Section 5, Page 8)
· Food and Medicine Stores (Section 6, Page 8)
· Food and Beverage Production and Agriculture (Section 7, Page 8)
· Organizations that Provide Charitable and Social Services (Section 8, Page 9)
· Religious and Ceremonial Functions (Section 9, Page 9)
· Media (Section 10, Page 9)
· Gas Stations and Businesses Needed for Transportation (Section 11, Page 9)
· Financial Institutions and Insurance Entities (Section 12, Page 9)
· Hardware and Supply Stores (Section 13, Page 9)
· Critical Trades (Section 14, Page 10)
· Mail, Post, Shipping, Logistics, Delivery, and Pick-up Services (Section 15, Page 10)
· Educational Institutions (Section 16, Page 10)
· Laundry Services (Section 17, Page 10)
· Restaurants for Off-Premises Consumption (Section 18, Page 10)
· Supplies to Work from Home (Section 19, Page 10)
· Supplies for Essential Businesses and Operations (Section 20, Page 10)
(Any business that sells, manufactures, or supplies other Essential Services listed)
· Transportation (Section 21, Page 11)
· Home-based Care and Services (Section 22, Page 11)
· Residential Facilities and Shelters (Section 23, Page 11)
· Professional Services (Section 24, Page 11)
· Manufacturing, Distribution and Supply Chain for Critical Products and Industries (Section 25, Page 11)
· Hotels and Motels (Section 26, Page 11)
· Funeral Services (Section 27, Page 11)
· Outdoor Recreation (Section 28, Page 11)
· Businesses with 10 or Fewer Persons on Premises (Section 29, Page 11)
· Maintaining Business Assets/Remote Work/Payroll (Section 30, Page 12)