State of Emergency Remains Through October
Some Restrictions Amended, Mask Authority Continues

NASHVILLE, Tenn.–As a National State of Emergency remains in place, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced today the State of Emergencyin Tennesseewill continue through October with adjustments made to previous executive orders.

“Tennessee’s response continues to be one of the most targeted in the country and a continued State of Emergency ensures we have access to additional federal funds, ensure our health care capacity is stable and loosen restrictions that would otherwise hinder our response time,” said Gov. Lee. “COVID-19 is still a serious problem and I encourage every Tennessean to continue social distancing and doing their part to make wise choices and help mitigate the spread of the virus.”

Gov. Lee today signed Executive Order No. 63 to extend certain, targeted provisions of previous executive ordersthrough October 30, including the authority of local governments to institute mask requirements. Remaining restrictions on businesses and gathering sizes in the 89 counties with a state-run health department have been removed.

Governor Lee also signed Executive Order No. 64, which extendsthrough October 30 provisions that allow for remote notarization and witnessing of documents. Executive Order No. 60, which extends through October 28 provisions that allow for electronic government meetings subject to transparency safeguards, including the requirement of live broadcasts of electronic meetings to the public beginning October 1, remains in effect.

Executive Order No. 63 includes provisions that:

• 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;
• Urge persons to wear a cloth face covering in places where in close proximity to others, while facilitating local decision-making concerning face covering requirements;
• Urge social distancing from those outside of your household, while eliminating caps on gathering size that have proven overly complex and arbitrarybecause they do not adequately account for critical considerations such as venue capacityand physical characteristics, type of activity involved, and location (indoors vs. outdoors), and thus undermine the moreimportant focusonsocial distancing;
• Providing a framework for safe visitation for nursing home and long-term-care facilities;
• Allow for the reopening of senior centers, while providing that capacity must be limited to the extent necessary to accommodate adequate social distancing;
• Provide that employers, businesses, and venues are expected to comply with the Tennessee Pledge for operating safely (the 6 counties with locally run county health departments continue to have existing statutory authority to issue additional directives on businesses/venues);
• Continue accesstotake-out alcohol sales to encourage carryout and delivery orders;
• Allow broad access to telehealth services;
• Increase opportunities for people to easily join the healthcare workforce;
• Facilitate increased testing and health care capacity;
• Extend deadlines and suspend certain in-person continuing education, gathering, or inspection requirements to avoid unnecessary person-to-person contact; and
• Increase opportunities to work remotely where appropriate.

See emergency order 60 here. See emergency order 64 here.

PREAMBLE

Pursuant to the authority in TCA 58-8-104, I, Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett, declared a State of Local Emergency on the 17th day of March 2020, granting to the County Mayor certain powers as allowed under TCA 58-2-110. Since that time multiple Emergency Orders have been issued by me through the present.

On July 3, 2020, Governor Bill Lee issued Executive Order #54 regarding the use of Face Masks and a grant of that authority to the 89 counties that do not have a locally run health department, which includes Montgomery County, to issue further Orders regarding the use of face masks.

I personally urge all persons to consider the benefit of undertaking a practice of all CDC recommended precautions, as well as the mandates of this ORDER, to prevent the further advancement of this extremely contagious and deadly virus. It has been damaging to our physical and mental health, our economy and our long-established way of life. All our measures were taken only to execute the continued performance of public works and taking whatever prudent action was necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community. I appreciate the support of all citizens and acknowledge the hardships all have suffered in accepting these measures to protect us all.

EMERGENCY ORDER #20

1. A Declaration of a State of Emergency is made and may be extended as allowed by law.
2. A Declaration of a State of Emergency for Montgomery County, Tennessee was made on July 17, 2020 and is hereby extended as allowed by law.
3. Emergency Order #19 is extended and is adopted herein in full and extended as allowed by law.
4. This ORDER shall become effective at 12:01 a.m. on the 22nd day of September 2020 and will expire at 12:01 a.m. on September 29, 2020 unless sooner cancelled or unless extended.

It is so ORDERED, Mayor Jim Durrett, Montgomery County, Tennessee, this the 21st day of September 2020.

See official order here.

PREAMBLE

Pursuant to the authority in TCA 58-8-104, I, Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett, declared a State of Local Emergency on the 17th day of March 2020, granting to the County Mayor certain powers as allowed under TCA 58-2-110. Since that time multiple Emergency Orders have been issued by me through the present.

On July 3, 2020, Governor Bill Lee issued Executive Order #54 regarding the use of Face Masks and a grant of that authority to the 89 counties that do not have a locally run health department, which includes Montgomery County, to issue further Orders regarding the use of face masks.

I personally urge all persons to consider the benefit of undertaking a practice of all CDC recommended precautions, as well as the mandates of this ORDER, to prevent the further advancement of this extremely contagious and deadly virus. It has been damaging to our physical and mental health, our economy and our long-established way of life. All our measures were taken only to execute the continued performance of public works and taking whatever prudent action was necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community. I appreciate the support of all citizens and acknowledge the hardships all have suffered in accepting these measures to protect us all.

EMERGENCY ORDER #19

1. A Declaration of a State of Emergency is made and may be extended as allowed by law.
2. A Declaration of a State of Emergency for Montgomery County, Tennessee was made on July 17, 2020 and is hereby extended as allowed by law.
3. Emergency Order #18 is extended and is adopted herein in full and extended as allowed by law.
4. This ORDER shall become effective at 12:01 a.m. on the 15th day of September 2020 and will expire at 12:01 a.m. on September 22, 2020 unless sooner cancelled or unless extended.

It is so ORDERED, Mayor Jim Durrett, Montgomery County, Tennessee, this the 14th day of September 2020.

See official order here.

PREAMBLE

Pursuant to the authority in TCA 58-8-104, I, Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett, declared a State of Local Emergency on the 17th day of March 2020, granting to the County Mayor certain powers as allowed under TCA 58-2-110. Since that time multiple Emergency Executive Orders have been issued by me through the present.

On July 3, 2020, Governor Bill Lee issued Executive Order #54 regarding the use of Face Masks and a grant of that authority to the 89 counties that do not have a locally run health department, which includes Montgomery County, to issue further Orders regarding the use of face masks.

I personally urge all persons to consider the benefit of undertaking a practice of all CDC recommended precautions, as well as the mandates of this ORDER, to prevent the further advancement of this extremely contagious and deadly virus. It has been damaging to our physical and mental health, our economy and our long-established way of life. All our measures were taken only to execute the continued performance of public works and taking whatever prudent action was necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community. I appreciate the support of all citizens and acknowledge the hardships all have suffered in accepting these measures to protect us all.

EMERGENCY EXECUTIVE ORDER # 18

A Declaration of a State of Emergency is made and may be extended as allowed by law.

Section 1

1. IT IS ORDERED that cloth or other face coverings that cover the nose and mouth of a person to impede the spread of the virus during speaking, coughing, sneezing or other action, shall be required in Montgomery County, Tennessee, within all publicly-accessible areas of commercial business establishments; in public outdoor areas where social distancing of at least six feet cannot be maintained; and within the publicly-accessible areas of business offices where there is direct interaction with the public and social distancing of at least six feet cannot be maintained. A "commercial business establishment" means any establishment that sells goods or services, or a combination thereof, including but not limited to grocery stores, restaurants, lobbies and public spaces in hotels and other places of lodging, pharmacies, banks, bars, salons, retail stores, medical and dental offices, and entertainment and sports venues.
2. There shall be no requirement that a face covering be worn:
   • 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;
   • 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.
3. All other persons are urged and encouraged, but not ORDERED, to wear face coverings in public places under these same guidelines above in numbers 1 and 2 (i through x) and practice all other CDC directives.
4. Effect of Order. This is a local order promulgated under the authority delegated by this Order constitutes an order, rule, or regulation promulgated pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 58, Chapter 2, Part 1, for purposes of Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 58-2-120.
5. Provisions 1 through 4 above shall be extended until September 8, 2020 at 12:01 am.

Section 2

1. Beginning on September 8, 2020 at 12:01 am Masks shall be worn in all Montgomery County Public Businesses and Government Facilities as follows:
2. In accordance with CDC guidance, owners and persons employed in the operation of all public businesses, County government, and City government facilities are ORDERED to wear face coverings while conducting business. All persons entering County and City government facilities are required to wear face coverings. Such cloth face coverings can be created from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost. Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or anyone who is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance. Surgical masks and N-95 respirators should be reserved for health care workers and first responders.
3. There shall be no requirement that a face covering be worn:
• 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;
• 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.
4. All other persons are urged and encouraged, but not ORDERED, to wear face coverings in public places under these same guidelines above in number 7 and 8 (i through x) and practice all other CDC directives.
5. Effect of Order. This is a local order promulgated under the authority delegated by this Order constitutes an order, rule, or regulation promulgated pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 58, Chapter 2, Part 1, for purposes of Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 58-2-120.

Section 3

This ORDER adopts all rules regarding the use of face masks established by the Clarksville Montgomery County School system for use in all schools within the District.

Section 4

1. The rules in SECTION 4 apply to all provisions of this ORDER.
2. Severability. If any provision of this Order or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this Order which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to that end the provisions of this Order are declared to be severable.
3. The mandates in this ORDER cannot and do not modify amend, supplant, invalidate or void any existing ORDERS of the Governor of the State of Tennessee and the Tennessee Supreme Court.
4. Term and effective date. Unless provisions herein expire and lapse earlier, this Order shall be effective at 12:01 am September 8th, 2020 and shall remain in effect for 7 days as allowed by law until 12:01 am, on September 15, 2020 when it may be extended.
5. This Order shall be effective upon issuance to protect and ensue the health, safety, and welfare of the Community.

It is so ORDERED, Mayor Jim Durrett, Montgomery County, Tennessee, this the 4th day of September 2020.

See official order here. See Mask Mandate letter here.

PREAMBLE

Pursuant to the authority in TCA 58-8-104, I, Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett, declared a State of Local Emergency on the 17th day of July 2020, granting to the County Mayor certain powers as allowed under TCA 58-2-110. This declaration gives political subdivisions of Tennessee State Government, Montgomery County, the ability to waive procedures relative to “performance of public works and taking whatever prudent action is necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community”. I then issued EMERGENCY ORDER #11 on the same date.

Pursuant to those same statutes, I extend that Declaration of a state of emergency and further so ORDER the mandates of EMERGENCY ORDER(s) #11, #12, #13, #14, #15 and #16 for an additional seven days (7).

EMERGENCY ORDER # 17

1. A Declaration of a State of Emergency for Montgomery County, Tennessee was made on July 17, 2020 and is hereby extended as allowed by law.
2. Emergency Executive Order #16 of August 21, 2020 is extended and is adopted herein in full and extended as allowed by law.
3. This ORDER shall become effective at 12:01 a.m. on the 31st day of August 2020 and will expire on September 7, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. unless sooner cancelled or unless extended.

It is so ORDERED, Mayor Jim Durrett, Montgomery County, Tennessee, this the 28th day of August 2020.

See official order here.

PREAMBLE

Pursuant to the authority in TCA 58-8-104, I, Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett, declared a State of Local Emergency on the 17th day of July 2020, granting to the County Mayor certain powers as allowed under TCA 58-2-110. This declaration gives political subdivisions of Tennessee State Government, Montgomery County, the ability to waive procedures relative to “performance of public works and taking whatever prudent action is necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community”. I then issued EMERGENCY ORDER #11 on the same date.

Pursuant to those same statutes, I extend that Declaration of a state of emergency and further so ORDER the mandates of EMERGENCY ORDER(s) #11, #12, #13, #14 and #15 for an additional seven days (7).

EMERGENCY ORDER # 16

1. A Declaration of a State of Emergency for Montgomery County, Tennessee was made on July 17, 2020 and is hereby extended as allowed by law.
2. Emergency Executive Order #15 of August 14, 2020 is extended and is adopted herein in full and extended as allowed by law.
3. This ORDER shall become effective at 12:01 a.m. on the 24th day of August 2020 and will expire on August 31, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. unless sooner cancelled or unless extended.

It is so ORDERED, Mayor Jim Durrett, Montgomery County, Tennessee, this the 21st day of August 2020.

See official order here.

PREAMBLE

Pursuant to the authority in TCA 58-8-104, I, Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett, declared a State of Local Emergency on the 17th day of July 2020, granting to the County Mayor certain powers as allowed under TCA 58-2-110. This declaration gives political subdivisions of Tennessee State Government, Montgomery County, the ability to waive procedures relative to “performance of public works and taking whatever prudent action is necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community”. I then issued EMERGENCY ORDER #11 on the same date.

Pursuant to those same statutes, I extend that Declaration of a state of emergency and further so ORDER the mandates of EMERGENCY ORDER(s) #11, #12, #13 and #14 for an additional seven days (7).

EMERGENCY ORDER # 15

1. A Declaration of a State of Emergency for Montgomery County, Tennessee was made on July 17, 2020 and is hereby extended as allowed by law.
2. Emergency Executive Order #14 of August 7, 2020 is extended and is adopted herein in full and extended as allowed by law.
3. This ORDER shall become effective at 12:01 a.m. on the 17th day of August 2020 and will expire on August 24, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. unless sooner cancelled or unless extended.

It is so ORDERED, Mayor Jim Durrett, Montgomery County, Tennessee, this the 14th day of August 2020.

See official order here.

PREAMBLE

Pursuant to the authority in TCA 58-8-104, I, Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett, declared a State of Local Emergency on the 17th day of July 2020, granting to the County Mayor certain powers as allowed under TCA 58-2-110. This declaration gives political subdivisions of Tennessee State Government, Montgomery County, the ability to waive procedures relative to “performance of public works and taking whatever prudent action is necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community”. I then issued EMERGENCY ORDER #11 on the same date.

Pursuant to those same statutes, I extend that Declaration of a state of emergency and further so ORDER the mandates of EMERGENCY ORDER(s) #11, #12, and #13 for an additional seven days (7).

EMERGENCY ORDER # 14

1. A Declaration of a State of Emergency for Montgomery County, Tennessee was made on July 17, 2020 and is hereby extended as allowed by law.
2. Emergency Executive Order #13 of July 31, 2020 is extended and is adopted herein in full and extended as allowed by law.
3. This ORDER shall become effective at 12:01 a.m. on the 10th day of August 2020 and will expire on August 17, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. unless sooner cancelled or unless extended.

It is so ORDERED, Mayor Jim Durrett, Montgomery County, Tennessee, this the 7th day of August 2020.

See official order here.

PREAMBLE

Pursuant to the authority in TCA 58-8-104, I, Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett, declared a State of Local Emergency on the 17th day of July 2020, granting to the County Mayor certain powers as allowed under TCA 58-2-110. This declaration gives political subdivisions of Tennessee State Government, Montgomery County, the ability to waive procedures relative to “performance of public works and taking whatever prudent action is necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community”. I then issued EMERGENCY ORDER #11 on the same date.

Pursuant to those same statutes, I extend that Declaration of a state of emergency and further so ORDER the mandates of EMERGENCY ORDER(s) #11 and #12 for an additional seven days (7).

EMERGENCY ORDER # 13

1. A Declaration of a State of Emergency for Montgomery County, Tennessee was made on July 17, 2020 and is hereby extended as allowed by law.
2. Emergency Executive Order #12 of July 24, 2020 is extended and is adopted herein in full and extended as allowed by law.
3. This ORDER shall become effective at 12:01 a.m. on the 3rd day of August 2020 and will expire on August 10, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. unless sooner cancelled or unless extended.

It is so ORDERED, Mayor Jim Durrett, Montgomery County, Tennessee, this the 31st day of July 2020.

See official order here.

COVID-19 Workplace Admin Controls and Q & A

Administrative Controls for COVID

Administrative controls require action by the worker or employer. Typically, administrative controls are changes in work policy or procedures to reduce or minimize exposure to a hazard. Examples of administrative controls for SARS-CoV-2 include:

• Encouraging sick workers to stay at home.
• Minimizing contact among workers, clients, and customers by replacing face-to-face meetings with virtual communications and implementing telework if feasible.
• Establishing alternating days or extra shifts that reduce the total number of employees in a facility at a given time, allowing them to maintain distance from one another while maintaining a full onsite work week.
• Discontinuing nonessential travel to locations with ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks. Regularly check CDC travel warning levels at: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers.
• Developing emergency communications plans, including a forum for answering workers’ concerns and internet-based communications, if feasible.
• Providing workers with up-to-date education and training on COVID-19 risk factors and protective behaviors (e.g., cough etiquette and care of PPE).
• Training workers who need to use protecting clothing and equipment how to put it on, use/wear it, and take it off correctly, including in the context of their current and potential duties. Training material should be easy to understand and available in the appropriate language and literacy level for all workers.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/general-business-faq.html

Suspected or Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in the Workplace

1. What should I do if an employee comes to work with COVID-19 symptoms?

   Employees who have symptoms when they arrive at work or become sick during the day should immediately be separated from other employees, customers, and visitors and sent home. Employees who develop symptoms outside of work should notify their supervisor and stay home.

   Sick employees should follow CDC-recommended steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Employees should not return to work until they have met the criteria to discontinue home isolation and have consulted with a healthcare provider.

   Employers should not require sick employees to provide a COVID-19 test result or healthcare provider’s note to validate their illness, qualify for sick leave, or return to work. Healthcare provider offices and medical facilities may be extremely busy and not able to provide such documentation in a timely manner.

2. What should I do if an employee is suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19?

   In most cases, you do not need to shut down your facility. But do close off any areas used for prolonged periods of time by the sick person:

   • Wait 24 hours before cleaning and disinfecting to minimize potential for other employees being exposed to respiratory droplets. If waiting 24 hours is not feasible, wait as long as possible.

   Follow the CDC cleaning and disinfection recommendations:

   • Clean dirty surfaces with soap and water before disinfecting them.
   • To disinfect surfaces, use products that meet EPA criteria for use against SARS-Cov-2external icon, the virus that causes COVID-19, and are appropriate for the surface.
   • Be sure to follow the instructions on the product labels to ensure safe and effective use of the product.
   • You may need to wear additional personal protective equipment (PPE) depending on the setting and disinfectant product you are using.

   In addition to cleaning and disinfecting, employers should determine which employees may have been exposed to the virus and need to take additional precautions:

   • If an employee is confirmed to have COVID-19, employers should inform fellow employees of their possible exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace but maintain confidentiality as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
   • Employees who test positive for COVID-19 (using a viral test, not an antibody test) should be excluded from work and remain in home isolation if they do not need to be hospitalized. Employers should provide education to employees on what to do if they are sick.
   • Employers may need to work with local health department officials to determine which employees may have had close contact with the employee with COVID-19 and who may need to take additional precautions, including exclusion from work and remaining at home.
   • Most workplaces should follow the Public Health Recommendations for Community-Related Exposure and instruct potentially exposed employees to stay home for 14 days, telework if possible, and self-monitor for symptoms.
   • Critical infrastructure workplaces should follow the guidance Implementing Safety Practices for Critical Infrastructure Employees Who May Have Had Exposure to a Person with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19.

   Sick employees should follow CDC-recommended steps. Employees should not return to work until they have met the criteria to discontinue home isolation and have consulted with a healthcare provider. Antibody test results should not be used to make decisions about returning persons to the workplace.

3. If employees have been exposed but are not showing symptoms, should I allow them to work?

   Employees may have been exposed if they are a “close contact” of someone who is infected, which is defined as being within about 6 feet of a person with COVID-19 for a prolonged period of time:

   • Potentially exposed employees who have symptoms of COVID-19 should self-isolate and follow CDC recommended steps.
   • Potentially exposed employees who do not have symptoms should remain at home or in a comparable setting and practice social distancing for 14 days.

   All other employees should self-monitor for symptoms and wear cloth face coverings when in public. If they develop symptoms, they should notify their supervisor and stay home.

   See Public Health Recommendations for Community-Related Exposure for more information.

   To ensure continuity of operations of essential functions, CDC advises that critical infrastructure icon may be permitted to continue work following potential exposure to COVID-19, provided they remain symptom-free and additional precautions are taken to protect them and the community.

   • Critical infrastructure businesses have an obligation to limit, to the extent possible, the reintegration into the worksite of in-person employees who have been exposed to COVID-19 but remain symptom-free in ways that best protect the health of the employee, their co-employees, and the general public.
     • Remaining at home for 14 days may still be the most preferred and viable option for exposed employees.
   • An analysis of core job tasks and workforce availability at worksites can allow the employer to match core activities to other equally skilled and available in-person employees who have not been exposed.
   • A critical infrastructure employee who is symptom-free and returns to work should wear a cloth face covering at all times while in the workplace for 14 days after last exposure. Employers can issue cloth face coverings or can approve employees’ supplied cloth face coverings in the event of shortages.

   See Implementing Safety Practices for Critical Infrastructure Employees Who May Have Had Exposure to a Person with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 and COVID-19 Critical Infrastructure Sector Response Planning for more information.

4. What testing does CDC recommend for employees in a workplace?

   CDC does NOT recommend that employers use antibody tests to determine which employees can work. Antibody tests check a blood sample for past infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. CDC does not yet know if people who recover from COVID-19 can get infected again. Viral tests check a respiratory sample (such as swabs of the inside of the nose) for current infection with SARS-CoV-2.

   CDC has published strategies for consideration of incorporating viral testing for SARS-CoV-2 into a workplace COVID-19 preparedness, response, and control plan.

   Different states and jurisdictions may have their own guidance and priorities for viral testing in workplaces. Testing in the workplace could be arranged through a company’s occupational health provider or in consultation with the local or state health department.

5. What should I do if I find out several days later, after an employee worked, that they were diagnosed with COVID-19?
   • If it has been less than 7 days since the sick employee used the facility, clean and disinfect all areas used by the sick employee following the CDC cleaning and disinfection recommendations.
   • If it has been 7 days or more since the sick employee used the facility, additional cleaning and disinfection is not necessary. Continue routinely cleaning and disinfecting all high-touch surfaces in the facility.
   • Other employees may have been exposed to the virus if they were in “close contact” (within approximately 6 feet) of the sick employee for a prolonged period of time.
     • If an employee is confirmed to have COVID-19, employers should inform fellow employees of their possible exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace but maintain confidentiality as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
     • Those who have symptoms should self-isolate and follow CDC recommended steps.
     • In most workplaces, those potentially exposed but with no symptoms should remain at home or in a comparable setting and practice social distancing for 14 days.
     • Critical infrastructure employees should follow Implementing Safety Practices for Critical Infrastructure Employees Who May Have Had Exposure to a Person with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19. A critical infrastructure employee who is symptom-free and returns to work should wear a cloth face covering at all times while in the workplace for 14 days after last exposure. Employers can issue cloth face coverings or can approve employees’ supplied cloth face coverings in the event of shortages.
   • Employees not considered exposed should self-monitor for symptoms. If they develop symptoms, they should notify their supervisor and stay home.
6. When should an employee suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 return to work?

   Sick employees should follow steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Employees should not return to work until they meet the criteria to discontinue home isolation and have consulted with a healthcare provider.

   Employers should not require a sick employee to provide a negative COVID-19 test result or healthcare provider’s note to return to work. Employees with COVID-19 who have stayed home can stop home isolation and return to work when they have met one of the sets of criteria found here.

7. What should I do if an employee has a respiratory illness?

   Employees who appear to have COVID-19 symptoms upon arrival to work or become sick during the day with COVID-19 symptoms should immediately be separated from other employees, customers, and visitors and sent home. Sick employees should follow steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

   CDC has a symptom self-checker chatbot that employers and employees may find helpful. It has a series of questions and recommends what level of medical care, if any, the user should seek. It is not intended to provide diagnosis or treatment.

8. What does “acute” respiratory illness mean?

   “Acute” respiratory illness is an infection of the upper or lower respiratory tract that may interfere with normal breathing, such as COVID-19. “Acute” means of recent onset (for example, for a few days), and is used to distinguish from chronic respiratory illnesses like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

9. Are allergy symptoms considered an acute respiratory illness?

   No. Allergy symptoms are not considered an acute respiratory illness. However, there is some overlap between common seasonal allergy symptoms and some of the symptoms that have been reported by people with COVID-19 (e.g., headache, sneezing, cough). It is important to take into account whether an individual’s symptoms are compatible with the usual symptoms and timing for allergy in that person.

Q & A on Face-Coverings in Montgomery County

Am I required to wear a mask in Montgomery County?

Yes. Unless you meet one of the exceptions listed below, you are required to wear a mask. Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett signed Executive Order #11 requiring that all Clarksville, Montgomery County residents and visitors wear face coverings in public to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The original order went into effect at 12:01 a.m. on July 20, 2020 and states that it is ordered that cloth or other face coverings that cover the nose and mouth of a person to impede the spread of the virus during speaking, coughing, sneezing or other action, shall be required in Montgomery County, Tennessee, within all publicly-accessible areas of commercial business establishments; public outdoor areas where social distancing of at least six feet cannot be maintained; and within publicly-accessible areas of business offices where there is direct interaction with the public and social distancing of at least six feet cannot be maintained. The order has been extended through August 3.

What are the exceptions for wearing a mask?

Exceptions under the executive order for wearing a mask are:

• Any person who is of age 12 or under;
• Any person who cannot safely wear a face covering because he/she has trouble breathing due to an underlying health condition or another bona fide medical or health-related reason for not wearing a face covering;
• Anyone who is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove a face covering without assistance;
• Persons in a private residence;
• Persons who are outdoors, unless the person cannot substantially maintain appropriate 6-foot social distancing from others outside of the person's household;
• Persons while eating or drinking;
• 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;
• Persons within private motor vehicles, unless such vehicle is being used for public transportation or a vehicle for hire;
• Persons working under conditions where appropriate social distancing of at least six feet from others outside the person's household is substantially maintained;
• Persons present in government facilities, or on government premises, who shall be subject to the rules and regulations of the governmental entity operating the facility or premises. • Persons present in the public areas of all Montgomery County government facilities will wear cloth or other face coverings, subject to the age and health restrictions outlined herein, and subject to number
• Other local governmental entities may issue their own directives regarding their facilities;
• Persons in a voting site for the purpose of voting or administering an election; although such persons are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings to slow the spread of COVID-19;
• 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;
• Persons for whom wearing a face covering would pose a safety or security risk;

Are local emergency orders enforceable by law?

Yes. In times of war, disease or other extraordinary conditions, each state authorizes its governor to declare a state of emergency. The COVID-19 pandemic is considered a health emergency.

Each governor has the right to authorize local mayors to issue executive orders, enforceable by law, which can be more stringent, not less stringent than state executive orders. Once an emergency has been declared, executive powers expand until the emergency ends.

Tennessee Code Annotated 58-8-104 states: once a local state of emergency has been declared, the mayor is given the authority to suspend the performance of public work and take whatever prudent action is necessary to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the community. The local state of emergency under this statute is limited to 7 days, but it may be extended in 7-day increments.

Tennessee Code Annotated 58-2-120 states: any person violating any order, rule or regulation promulgated pursuant to a declaration of a state of emergency commits a Class A misdemeanor.

What should you do if someone is not in compliance with an executive order?

First ask them to comply and offer them a face-covering if you have one available. If they refuse to follow the mandate, call 911 and the dispatcher will create an emergency order violation and dispatch a unit. The goal for Montgomery County is working to achieve compliance and not issue a citation. However, the Clarksville Police Department and MCSO will issue citations, if needed.

Although state and local executive orders may seem to be new, the tools used for enforcement and the consequences for failing to comply are not new. Enforcement during declared states of emergency is appropriate.

Does wearing a face-covering in public violate my right to carry a concealed weapon?

There is NO prohibition for a person with a carry permit from wearing a mask as it relates to COVID-19. According to Tennessee law, "it is an offense for a person to wear a mask or disguise with the intent to intimidate others from exercising civil rights."

That's with or without a gun. To put this in perspective, anyone wearing a mask to try to hide your identity to intimidate others or commit a crime, that's illegal. But it is legal to wear a face covering and conceal carry for the purpose of stopping the spread of COVID-19.

Is wearing a mask a political issue?

No, wearing a mask is a health issue not a political issue. The capacity for health care professionals and equipment to care for people who contract the virus and experience severe upper respiratory problems is limited. The health and science communities agree that wearing a mask is the best way to slow the spread of the disease for the protection of everyone.

Does the CDC recommend wearing a face mask/covering?

On July 14, the CDC called on Americans to wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2020/p0714-americans-to-wear-masks.html

The CDC does recommend wearing a face mask/ covering. Their website states:

• “You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
• The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
• Everyone should wear a cloth face cover in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
• Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
• Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker. Currently, surgical masks and N95 respirators are critical supplies that should be reserved for healthcare workers and other first responders.
• Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.”

Preamble

Pursuant to the authority in TCA 58-8-104, I, Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett, declared a State of Local Emergency on the 17th day of July 2020, granting to the County Mayor certain powers as allowed under TCA 58-2-110. This declaration gives political subdivisions of Tennessee State Government, Montgomery County, the ability to waive procedures relative to “performance of public works and taking whatever prudent action is necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community. I then issued EMERGENCY ORDER #11 on the same date.

Pursuant to those same statutes, I extend that Declaration of a state of emergency and further so ORDER the mandates of EMERGENCY ORDER(s) #11 for an additional seven days (7).

EMERGENCY ORDER # 12

1. A Declaration of a State of Emergency for Montgomery County, Tennessee was made on July 17, 2020 and is hereby extended as allowed by law.
2. Emergency Executive Order #11 of July 17, 2020 is extended and is adopted herein in full and extended as allowed by law.
3. This ORDER shall become effective at 12:01 a.m. on the 27th day of July 2020 and will expire on August 3, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. unless sooner cancelled or unless extended.

It is so ORDERED, Mayor Jim Durrett, Montgomery County, Tennessee, this the 24th day of July 2020.

See official order here.

Preamble

While it is the hope and expectation that Montgomery County citizens will follow all suggested guidelines of the CDC to voluntarily reduce the spread of COVID-19, I issue this order pursuant to TCA §58-8-104 and 58-2-110 to take prudent action I believe necessary to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the community.

The numbers of positive COVID-19 cases in Montgomery County and surrounding counties have significantly increased in the last thirty days; and

Widespread use of face coverings is a preferred alternative to the continued closure of schools and the closure of businesses in our community, which closures would likely become necessary if action is not taken; and

After consultation with the Mayor of the City of Clarksville and the School Superintendent of Montgomery County, the County Mayor finds that there is a consensus that the wearing of cloth or other face coverings should be required in certain circumstances, and that such a requirement should take effect as soon as possible.

Pursuant to those same originally named statutes, and the Governor’s Executive Order #54, I declare a state of emergency for Montgomery County, Tennessee and further so ORDER.

EMERGENCY ORDER # 11

1. A Declaration of a State of Emergency for Montgomery County, Tennessee is made and may be extended as allowed by law and my Declaration of a State of Emergency is extended as set out herein.
2. Emergency Executive Order # 9 and #10 are vacated.
3. IT IS ORDERED that cloth or other face coverings that cover the nose and mouth of a person to impede the spread of the virus during speaking, coughing, sneezing or other action, shall be required in Montgomery County, Tennessee, within all publicly-accessible areas of commercial business establishments; in public outdoor areas where social distancing of at least six feet cannot be maintained; and within the publicly-accessible areas of business offices where there is direct interaction with the public and social distancing of at least six feet cannot be maintained. A "commercial business establishment" means any establishment that sells goods or services, or a combination thereof, including but not limited to grocery stores, restaurants, lobbies and public spaces in hotels and other places of lodging, pharmacies, banks, bars, salons, retail stores, medical and dental offices, and entertainment and sports venues.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this Order does not apply to:
4. Any person who is of age 12 or under;
5. Any person who cannot safely wear a face covering because he/she has trouble breathing due to an underlying health condition or another bona fide medical or health-related reason for not wearing a face covering;
6. Anyone who is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove a face covering without assistance;
7. Persons in a private residence;
8. Persons who are outdoors, unless the person cannot substantially maintain appropriate 6-foot social distancing from others outside of the person's household;
9. Persons while eating or drinking;
10. 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;
11. Persons within private motor vehicles, unless such vehicle is being used for public transportation or a vehicle for hire;
12. Persons working under conditions where appropriate social distancing of at least six feet from others outside the person's household is substantially maintained;
13. 13. Persons present in government facilities, or on government premises, who shall be subject to the rules and regulations of the governmental entity operating the facility or premises. Persons present in the public areas of all Montgomery County government facilities will wear cloth or other face coverings, subject to the age and health restrictions outlined herein, and subject to number 11. Other local governmental entities may issue their own directives regarding their facilities;
14. Persons in a voting site for the purpose of voting or administering an election; although such persons are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings to slow the spread of COVID-19;
15. 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;
16. Persons for whom wearing a face covering would pose a safety or security risk;
17. This Order shall be effective upon issuance to protect and ensue the health, safety, and welfare of the Community.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that businesses and facilities subject to this Order shall post signage at public entrances informing patrons of the requirement to wear a mask within the establishment and shall enforce the requirement within the establishment.

This local order constitutes an order promulgated pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 58, Chapter 2, Part 1.

This ORDER shall become effective at 12:01 a.m. on the 20th day of July 2020 and will expire on July 27, 2020 at 12:01 a.m., unless sooner cancelled or unless extended.

It is so ORDERED, Mayor Jim Durrett, Montgomery County, Tennessee, this the 17th day of July 2020.

See official order here.

Preamble

Pursuant to the authority in TCA 58-8-104, I, Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett, declared a State of Local Emergency on the 17th day of March 2020, granting to the County Mayor certain powers as allowed under TCA 58-2-110. That declaration gave political subdivisions of Tennessee State Government, Montgomery County, the ability to waive procedures relative to “performance of public works and taking whatever prudent action necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community”. I then issued eight EMERGENCY ORDERs. On April 24, 2020, the Governor of the State of Tennessee issued his EXECUTIVE ORDER # 29. That ORDER declared “This Order shall supersede and Preempt any emergency order, health order, or other order issued by a local official or local governmental entity addressing or otherwise related to COVID-19”. Based upon that Order, I allowed all my EMERGENCY ORDERs to expire.

Now, on July 3, 2020, Governor Bill Lee issued Executive Order #54 regarding the use of Face Masks and a grant of that authority to the 89 counties that do not have a locally run health department, which includes Montgomery County, to issue further Orders.

Pursuant to those same originally named statutes, and the Governor’s Executive Order #54, I declare a state of emergency and further so ORDER.

EMERGENCY ORDER # 10

1. A Declaration of a State of Emergency is made and may be extended as allowed by law.
2. My Declaration of a State of Emergency and my Emergency Executive Order # 9 issued on July 7, 2020 are adopted and extended.
3. Term and effective date. This Order shall be effective at 12:01 a.m. July 15, 2020 and shall remain in effect for 7 days as allowed by law until 12:01 a.m., Central Daylight Time, on July 22, 2020 when it may be extended.
4. This Order shall be effective upon issuance to protect and ensue the health, safety, and welfare of the Community.
It is so ORDERED, Mayor Jim Durrett, Montgomery County, Tennessee, this the 14th day of July 2020.

It is so ORDERED, Mayor Jim Durrett, Montgomery County, Tennessee, this the 14th day of July 2020.

See official order here.

Montgomery and Robertson County General Sessions Court Judges Will Require Face Coverings in Court

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – Beginning Monday, July 13, 2020, a temporary policy that requires the wearing of face coverings for all persons in the courtrooms will go into effect for the 19th Judicial District.

The policy has been established by Jill Bartee Ayers, Presiding Judge 19th Judicial District, Ken Goble, Montgomery County General Sessions Court Presiding Judge and Joel Perry, Robertson County General Sessions Court Judge, and will remain in effect until August 1, 2020, unless otherwise extended, according to a memo that was shared from the judges.

The temporary policy will go into effect due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Montgomery and Robertson Counties, in order to protect those who use the court system and those who work in and around the court, consistent with the executive orders of the Montgomery County and Robertson County Mayors.

The memo states that the decision has been made regarding face coverings in the courtrooms of the 19th Judicial District. The court procedures for reopening which were approved by the TN Supreme Court will remain in full force with the addition of face coverings.

The following are exceptions to the temporary policy: face coverings may be temporarily removed by a witness who is giving testimony, by attorneys as they address the court, and judges and clerks seated in the courtroom during court who are adequately social distanced. Additionally, exceptions noted in the referenced executive orders will be recognized.

The memo further states that each judge will continue to have the authority to require face coverings to be worn at all times in his/her courtroom at his/her discretion. This policy will be announced in the courtrooms and any person after having been personally admonished by the court to wear a face-covering may be ordered to leave the premises and/or be punished for contempt. Each judge is charged with enforcement of the above in his/her courtroom.

The judges request that attorneys encourage their clients to bring and wear their own face coverings, however, the 19th Judicial District in conjunction with Montgomery and Robertson Counties will work diligently to provide face coverings for litigants who appear in the courtrooms without them. The memo also states that there may be times that the demand for face coverings may exceed supply.

Courts will continue to use technology to take up cases via video and teleconferences when possible. For more information about General Sessions Court in Montgomery County, visit https://mcgtn.org or call 931-648-5700.

Montgomery County Mayor Signs Emergency Order #9 for the Mandatory Wearing of Face Masks

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett, signed Executive Executive Emergency Order #9 today to require the wearing of face masks by all employees of businesses open to the public in Montgomery County.

On Friday evening, July 3, Governor Bill Lee issued Executive Order #54 giving authority to county mayors to issue COVID-19 mask requirements. Montgomery County is one of 89 counties in the State of Tennessee that was given this authority. The mandate for businesses in Montgomery County to wear masks will go into effect at 12:01 a.m., July 8 and end July 15 with an expectation to extend the order at least another seven days through July 22, at which time an evaluation to further extend the orders will be determined. Emergency orders are valid for seven days and can be extended for seven-day periods.

Emergency Order #9 requires business employees to wear masks, unless social distancing can be conducted consistently. This order will be enforced on an as needed basis.

On Monday, July 6, Mayor Durrett and his Chief of Staff met with City Mayor Joe Pitts and his Chief of Staff, Montgomery County Health Department Director Joey Smith, and Director of Medical Services Jimmie Edwards to discuss the possibility of mask requirements.

“Based on the data we have seen our cases going up at a level that is uncomfortable. We know there is a “lag” in receiving testing data as more people are being testing. We must be proactive - so our first step is to require employees of businesses open to the public to wear face coverings. We are strongly encouraging all businesses to require patrons to wear a mask when visiting their business. We do not want to issue another stay at home order. Although some may feel this is encroaching on their freedoms, it is an effort to keep our local businesses open and our residents employed, while doing it in a safe manner,” Mayor Durrett stated. “Like many of you, I want to see our kids back in school, I want to enjoy a high school football game, a soccer game or a volleyball game. I want to see little league baseball and college football again. I want our children to have proms and graduations, skating parties and birthday parties. It really boils down to the young adults and children of this community having the opportunity to grow and prosper as we did, and also protecting the population that is more vulnerable to this virus. If it takes wearing a mask for all of this to happen, then we should all sacrifice a little for the gain of many. We must all remember - it’s not about me, it’s about we!”

"I applaud Mayor Durrett's willingness to issue this emergency order and will ask the City Council to meet in a special session on Tuesday afternoon to consider a resolution in support of the order. It is imperative we continue to work together to keep our citizens safe," said Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts.

Health Department Director Joey Smith explained that testing numbers continue to increase which means there are hundreds of tests from people in Montgomery County waiting for results. The data will continue to be reviewed by local leaders and health officials who will follow the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

For more information about Montgomery County Services and COVID-19 information, visit https://mcgtn.org/ or call 931-648-5787.

Preamble

Pursuant to the authority in TCA 58-8-104, I, Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett, declared a State of Local Emergency on the 17th day of March 2020, granting to the County Mayor certain powers as allowed under TCA 58-2-110. That declaration gave political subdivisions of Tennessee State Government, Montgomery County, the ability to waive procedures relative to “performance of public works and taking whatever prudent action necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community”. I then issued eight EMERGENCY ORDERs. On April 24, 2020, the Governor of the State of Tennessee issued his EXECUTIVE ORDER # 29. That ORDER declared “This Order shall supersede and Preempt any emergency order, health order, or other order issued by a local official or local governmental entity addressing or otherwise related to COVID-19”. Based upon that Order, I allowed all my EMERGENCY ORDERs to expire.

Now, on July 3, 2020, Governor Bill Lee issued Executive Order #54 regarding the use of Face Masks and a grant of that authority to the 89 counties that do not have a locally run health department, which includes Montgomery County, to issue further Orders.

Pursuant to those same originally named statutes, and the Governor’s Executive Order #54, I declare a state of emergency and further so ORDER.

I personally urge all persons to consider the benefit of undertaking a practice of all CDC recommended precautions, as well as this ORDER, to prevent the further advancement of this extremely contagious and deadly virus. It has been damaging to our physical and mental health, our economy and our long-established way of life. All of our measures were taken only to execute the continued performance of public works and taking whatever prudent action was necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community. I appreciate the support of all citizens and acknowledge the hardships all have suffered in accepting these measures to protect us all.

“I” take these steps so that “we” can best assure ourselves of protecting each other; enhancing the likelihood and speed with which we can all return to fellowship, sports, families, friends, open our schools, teach our children and care for our fellow man as we did before this pandemic began. “We” can take these precautions and expedite the return to the way of life we have grown to enjoy and protect those among us that are most at risk from the virus.

EMERGENCY ORDER# 9

1. A Declaration of a State of Emergency is made and may be extended as allowed by law.
2. In accordance with CDC guidance, owners and persons employed in the operation of all public businesses are ORDERED to wear face coverings while conducting business. Such cloth face coverings can be created from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost. Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or anyone who is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance. Surgical masks and N-95 respirators should be reserved for health care workers and first responders.
3. There shall be no requirement that a face covering be worn:
   1. Within one’s residence or automobile, unless transporting others for hire;
   2. By a child twelve (12) years of age or younger;
   3. 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;
   4. By someone who is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cloth face covering without assistance;
   5. While eating or drinking;
   6. While outdoors, unless the person cannot substantially maintain appropriate social distancing from others outside of the person’s household;
   7. While working under conditions where appropriate social distancing from others outside of the person’s household is substantially maintained;
   8. In situations in which wearing a face covering poses a safety or security risk;
   9. 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
   10. 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.
4. All other persons are urged and encouraged, but not ORDERED, to wear face coverings in public places under these same guidelines above sections 2 and 3 (i through x) and practice all other CDC directives.
5. Effect of Order. This is a local order promulgated under the authority delegated by this Order constitutes an order, rule, or regulation promulgated pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 58, Chapter 2, Part 1, for purposes of Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 58-2-120.
6. Severability. If any provision of this Order or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this Order which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to that end the provisions of this Order are declared to be severable.
7. The mandates in this ORDER cannot and do not modify amend, supplant, invalidate or void any existing ORDERS of the Governor of the State of Tennessee and the Tennessee Supreme Court.
8. Term and effective date. This Order shall be effective at 12:01 am July 8, 2020 and shall remain in effect for 7 days as allowed by law until 12:00 p.m., Central Daylight Time, on July 15, 2020 when it may be extended.
9. This Order shall be effective upon issuance to protect and ensue the health, safety, and welfare of the Community.

It is so ORDERED, Mayor Jim Durrett, Montgomery County, Tennessee, this the 6th day of July 2020.

See official order here.

Summary of Executive orders 50, 51 and 52

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;
• 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.
Summary of 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.

See official order 50 here. see official order 51 here. see official order 52 here.

Governor Preempts Reopening Plan for Clarksville Montgomery County - Dine-in restaurants can open doors on Monday

April 27, 2020 - Communications Department

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Gov. Bill Lee issued an executive order on Friday that will allow dine-in restaurants to resume operations Monday in Clarksville and Montgomery County.

The governor’s action preempts and cancels a local reopening plan and business permit process that was announced last week.

Lee announced his “Tennessee Pledge” on Friday, calling it the first step in a phased reopening of the state’s economy. The plan entails rebooting industries as they are safe to pursue in 89 of the state’s 95 counties, including Montgomery County. The state is working with Shelby, Madison, Davidson, Hamilton, Knox, and Sullivan, which have locally controlled health departments, on plans to reopen businesses in those counties.

Lee announced that Tennessee restaurants are able to reopen Monday, April 27 at 50 percent occupancy. Additionally, Tennessee retailers are able to reopen on Wednesday at 50 percent occupancy. The state recommends that employees in both industries wear cloth face coverings and that business owners follow federal guidelines for hygiene and workplace sanitation standards related to the pandemic.

The governor’s plan does not yet allow personal services business, such as barbers, hair stylists and nail salons to open.

The full guidance offered by the state for both sectors can be found at https://www.tn.gov/governor/covid-19/economic-recovery.html.

The governor’s order also included a provision that preempts a local reopening plan announced Thursday by Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett and City of Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts.

“This Order shall supersede and preempt any emergency order, health order, or other order issued by a local official or local governmental entity addressing or otherwise related to COVID-19; provided, that the six locally run county health departments in Davidson, Hamilton, Knox, Madison, Shelby, or Sullivan Counties shall have the authority to maintain any existing order or issue further restrictions regarding the operation of restaurants for the purposes of containment or management of the spread of COVID-19,” Gov. Lee’s order states.

Mayor Durrett and Mayor Pitts and a team of staff members and local health officials had worked aggressively last week to build a local plan for reopening commercial activity in Clarksville-Montgomery County.

“Our local phased reopening and the operating permit process we intended to put into place will be set aside for now,” Mayor Pitts said Monday. “Further, our Executive Order No. 3 enacted by the City Council, which mandated business closings and stay-at-home measures, expires at midnight Tuesday, and will not be renewed. Our orders have been superseded by the Governor.”

“The governor’s lack of specifics in a timely manner put local governments in a reactive posture, instead of helping us help our community,” Mayor Pitts added.

Mayor Durrett also expressed frustration with the way the governor’s announcement unfolded.

“It’s unfortunate that the governor did not communicate his plans in advance,” Mayor Durrett said. “On April 20, he said, ‘the vast majority of businesses will be able to reopen by May 1st.’ So we worked like crazy to prepare for that, and then (Friday) he announced that restaurants and retail can open this week, and others have to wait. There must be better communication from our governor.”

Meanwhile, both mayors appealed to citizens to remain vigilant in the fight against COVID-19 by social distancing, using CDC hygiene practices, and wearing face coverings in public.

“Everyone must remember, we are not declaring victory, and we are still in a battle against COVID-19,” Mayor Pitts said. “Even as we strive to bring our community back to a reasonable level of activity, we must continue aggressive efforts to limit the spread of this serious disease.”

Montgomery County Mayor Extends Emergency Executive Orders through April 29

April 21, 2020 - Communications Department

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett, signed Emergency Executive Order #7 for the extension of the declaration of the State of Emergency allowed under TCA 58-2-110, that went into effect March 17 as well as existing Emergency Executive Orders #1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 for an additional seven days.

This means that the original declaration of a State of Emergency, as well as the emergency orders that followed, have been extended, as allowed by law, for an additional seven days beginning April 22 at 12:01 a.m. and ending April 29, at which time evaluation to further extend the orders will be determined based on the information from the Whitehouse, the State of Tennessee and local healthcare professionals.

The only change is in Emergency Executive Order #3 that applies to the workweek for Montgomery County Government employees. In addition to the extension, this order states that county employees move to a 10-hour workday, four days a week from Monday through Thursday. Beginning Monday, April 27, county employees will go back to an 8-hour workday, Monday through Friday. The staggered staff schedule will be maintained, until further notice, to minimize contact and maintain social distancing.

“We are well-aware of Governor Lee’s Stay at Home order ending on April 30 and have been diligently working out a plan for Phase 1 of reopening. Once we have all the information in place and the expectations are clear, it will be shared with the public. In the meantime, it is critical for businesses as well as individuals do their part to minimize the spread of the coronavirus during this next week so we can move forward,” stated Mayor Durrett.

To review; the Declaration of the State of Emergency for Montgomery County and Emergency Executive Order #1 went into effect on March 17. Emergency Executive Order #1 limited public access to county buildings, reduced staff on-site and encouraged the use of online services. Emergency Executive Order #2, went into effect on March 23, extended the declaration of the State of Emergency and Emergency Order #2 while emending the order to support Governor Bill Lee’s Executive Order #17. Emergency Executive Order #3, issued March 24 extended the Declaration of the State of Emergency and Emergency Orders #1, #2 and adjusted the workweek for county employees. Emergency Executive Order #4, issued March 31, extended the Declaration of the State of Emergency and emergency orders #1, #2, and #3. Emergency Order #4 also directed citizens to shelter at home except when engaging in essential activities or services as described in the order and in addition to Governor Lee’s Executive Order #21. Emergency Executive Orders #5 and #6 are extensions of the previous orders.

Additionally, Governor Bill Lee’s statewide Safer at Home Order, (Executive Order #27) is valid through April 30.

For more information about Montgomery County Services and COVID-19 information, visit https://mcgtn.org/ or call 931-648-5787.

Beware of Scammers Related to COVID-19 Testing
Montgomery County Health Department Receives Calls of Concern

April 21, 2020 - Communications Department

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – The Montgomery County Health Department was made aware of multiple scammer calls that went out from the health department phone number today. The callers are contacting people to let them know they can receive the results of their COVID-19 test if they share their social security number.

The act of stealing a local or trusted number is known as spoofing. According to information on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) website, spoofing occurs when a caller secures a number to purposely disguise themselves as a valid organization or individual in order to obtain valuable personal information from the person they call.

“The Montgomery County Health Department would never ask for your social security number. We will prompt you with questions that are related to your visit to the health department so you will know that it is us. We felt it was important to warn people these calls are being made so they can protect their personal information,” said Joey Smith, Director of the Montgomery Health Department.

For more information on how spoofing works, visit the FCC web site. For information about the Montgomery County Health Department, please visit their website.

Pursuant to the authority in TCA 58-8-104, I, Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett, declared a State of Local Emergency on the 17th day of March 2020, granting to the County Mayor certain powers as allowed under TCA 58-2-110. This declaration gives political subdivisions of Tennessee State Government, Montgomery County, the ability to waive procedures relative to “performance of public works and taking whatever prudent action is necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community”. I then issued EMERGENCY ORDER #1 on the same date. Subsequently, I issued EMERGENCEY ORDER #2 on March 23, 2020, and EMERGENCY ORDER #3 on March 24, 2020, Emergency Executive Order #4 of March 31, 2020, Emergency Executive ORDER #5 on April 7, 2020 and Emergency Executive Order #6 of April 14, 2020.

Pursuant to those same statutes, I extend that Declaration of a state of emergency and further so ORDERED the mandates of EMERGENCY ORDER(s) #1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 for an additional seven days (7) with EMERGENCY ORDER #7, except as amended to return county employees to a Five Day work week.

I am extending this ORDER on these terms, pending the guidelines to be established by the State of Tennessee according to Governor Lee’s announcement on April 20th. In that announcement he indicated the re-opening of the State of Tennessee as early as April 27th, or on May 1st. I have the ability to cancel or amend this local order at any time deemed appropriate and will act when I see and review the guidance indicated by the Governor in his ORDER.

EMERGENCY EXECUTIVE ORDER # 7

1. The Original Declaration of a State of Emergency made on March 17, 2020 is extended as allowed by law.
2. Subsequently ORDERs of County Mayor Durrett being EMERGENCY ORDER #1 on March 17, 2020, EMERGENCEY ORDER #2 on March 23, 2020, and EMERGENCY ORDER #3 on March 24, 2020, Emergency Executive Order #4 of March 31, 2020, Emergency Executive ORDER #5 on April 7, 2020 and Emergency Executive Order #6 of April 14, 2020 are adopted herein in full and extended as allowed by law.
3. The earlier ORDERED Four (4) day “work week” for Montgomery County Employees is withdrawn. All county offices will return to a regular work week beginning April 27, 2020 with the same limited staffing. Offices are closed to the public but functioning as they are now.
4. The mandates in each ORDER are not applicable to those entities identified by their work or services as critical infrastructure industry(s) as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services, pharmaceutical and food supply. The Mandates in this Order cannot and do not invalidate or void any existing ORDERS of the Governor of the State of Tennessee and the Tennessee Supreme Court currently in effect but add additional mandatory operational guidelines and responsibilities for those businesses to continue to operate.
5. This EMERGENCY EXECUTIVE ORDER #7 shall be effective and enforceable at 12:01 AM, Central Daylight Time, on April 22, 2020, and shall remain in effect until 12:01 a.m., Central Daylight Time, on April 29, 2020, at which time the same will be extended, amended or otherwise addressed.
6. This Order shall be effective upon issuance to protect and ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the Community.

It is so ORDERED, Mayor Jim Durrett, this the 21st day of April 2020.

See official order here.

COVID-19 Drive-Through Testing Event Scheduled for Montgomery County April 26th

April 20, 2020 - Communications Department

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – The Montgomery County Health Department is hosting a COVID-19 drive-through testing event for the community on April 26, 2020. Nurses and National Guard medics will collect nasal swabs from those who want to be tested, and test results may be available within 72 hours after the samples arrive at the lab, depending on lab volume.

“Anyone with health concerns, or who has concerns about the health of a family member, is invited to come this weekend to receive testing for COVID-19,” said Joey Smith, Montgomery County Health Department Director. “This testing will be provided at no cost to participants, and those who come for testing can remain in their vehicles throughout the process.”

Sample collection for testing will be offered in Montgomery County this Sunday from 9 a.m. through noon at the Montgomery County Health Department, 330 Pageant Ln, Clarksville, TN 37040.

Tennessee’s Coronavirus Public Information Lines are open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., CDT daily at 833-556-2476 or 877-857-2945.

TDH is posting updated COVID-19 case numbers by 2 p.m. CDT each day at www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov.html. Find additional information at www.tn.gov/governor/covid-19.html and www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

COVID-19 related information can also be found at https://mcgtn.org/gov/covid19.

FUEL has urgent need for donations - Demand grows for food program for children

April 20, 2020 - Communications Department

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – The FUEL Program provides take-home meals to thousands of Clarksville-Montgomery County School System students who may not otherwise have access to food at home. Since the schools closed March 12 because of the COVID-19 crisis, FUEL has continued to provide meals to children, and each week the need has grown.

FUEL, with help from dozens of community volunteers, this week will prepare and distribute more than 5,000 meal bags. The program needs help replenishing its pantry quickly to fill bags for the coming weeks.

“Denise Skidmore, leader of the FUEL Program, and her volunteers do a wonderful and efficient job of getting food to youngsters who really need the help,” Mayor Joe Pitts said. “Especially in this time of extra demand, I urge our residents to step up and help FUEL.”

Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett noted that FUEL is picking up the slack to make sure children do not go hungry.

“My wife, Mary, and I have had the privilege of helping to pack food for kids through this program and have been amazed by how well they run their operation,” Mayor Durrett said. “We need to do all we can to support their efforts as well as the other organizations that are working to help people in our community.”

Residents can make a monetary donation through PayPal or with a credit card at www.fuelforkids.org.

The organization also uses an Amazon program -- online at https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3T2ABWZ899792?ref_=wl_share -- that will ship donated goods directly to FUEL. Please look at the delivery dates because shipping of some items has been delayed.

In-person donations can be dropped off from 2-4 p.m. Thursday, 5-7 p.m. Friday and 8:30-11 a.m. Saturday at Hilldale United Methodists Church, 1751 Madison St., Clarksville.

Donated foods should not require a can opener, refrigeration or cooking, and must be individually wrapped and ready to eat. Most-needed food items are: individual boxes of cereal; crackers with cheese; juice boxes and pouches; Slim Jim’s and meat sticks; and individual servings of mac and cheese.

Other popular kid-friendly items include fruit cups, Pop Tarts, fruit roll-ups, fruit twisters, breakfast bars, granola bars, individually packaged servings of applesauce, raisins and pudding snacks. High protein options include cheese sticks, peanut butter crackers, peanut butter snack sticks, tuna in a pouch and nuts in a pouch.

To find out more about the FUEL Program, visit http://www.fuelforkids.org/.

Bi-County Solid Waste Management Again Requests Assistance and Patience to Relieve Large Loads at Convenience Centers

April 17, 2020 - Communications Department

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – While residents shelter at home due to COVID-19, they continue to work on spring cleaning and home projects. The increased amount of materials brought to the Bi-County Solid Waste Convenience Centers in a condensed period of time has continued to present a challenge at the centers.

The convenience centers are meant for smaller loads of bagged household waste, not large loads or large items. Due to the increased volume of materials and scheduling circumstances, the Bi-County Solid Waste drivers are still experiencing an increasing number of pick-ups from the convenience centers, which also causes delays on picking up at other sites. These delays have resulted in long lines at some of the centers as well as at the main landfill.

Director of Bi-County Solid Waste Management, Mark Neblett said, “We are asking the community to continue to work with us and bring their large loads to the main landfill scales at 3212 Dover Road. I’ve been with Bi-County for 29 years and we have never experienced such high demand in such a short period of time. It is my goal to keep the convenience centers available to the public which is one of the reasons we chose to keep them open last Friday, on a holiday when the centers are normally closed. Our convenience center workers will continue to make discretionary decisions based on box space, pick-up schedules, and traffic flow.”

The Transfer Station located at 1230 Highway Drive can also accept some larger loads and large items (no double axle trailers) but may also need to redirect customers to the main landfill based on their capacity.

The hours of operation for the scales at the main landfill site on Dover Road are Monday through Friday 5:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The hours of operation for the Transfer Station are Monday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Bi-County is here to serve the citizens of Montgomery and Stewart Counties, but assistance is also needed from residents.

For questions about Bi-County Solid Waste and when the convenience centers are open visit or https://mcgtn.org/bi-county or call 931-648-5751. Please note that it may take some time to return your call during this time because of a high call volume.

Pursuant to the authority in TCA 58-8-104, I, Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett, declared a State of Local Emergency on the 17th day of March 2020, granting to the County Mayor certain powers as allowed under TCA 58-2-110. This declaration gives political subdivisions of Tennessee State Government, Montgomery County, the ability to waive procedures relative to “performance of public works and taking whatever prudent action is necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community”. I then issued EMERGENCY ORDER #1 on the same date. Subsequently, I issued EMERGENCEY ORDER #2 on March 23, 2020, and EMERGENCY ORDER #3 on March 24, 2020, Emergency Executive Order #4 of March 31, 2020, and Emergency Executive ORDER #5 on April 7, 2020.

Pursuant to those same statutes, I extend that Declaration of a state of emergency and further so ORDER the mandates of EMERGENCY ORDER(s) #1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 for an additional seven days (7) and amend or supplement the same with EMERGENCY ORDER #6 as follows.

EMERGENCY EXECUTIVE ORDER # 6

1. The Original Declaration of a State of Emergency made on March 17, 2020 is extended as allowed by law.
2. Subsequently ORDERs of County Mayor Durrett being EMERGENCY ORDER # 1 on March 17, 2020, EMERGENCEY ORDER # 2 on March 23, 2020, and EMERGENCY ORDER # 3 on March 24, 2020, Emergency Executive ORDER #4 of March 31, 2020, and Emergency Executive ORDER #5 on April 7, 2020 are adopted herein in full and extended as allowed by law.
3. The mandates in each ORDER are not applicable to those entities identified by their work or services as critical infrastructure industry(s) as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services, pharmaceutical and food supply.
4. This EMERGENCY EXECUTIVE ORDER #6 shall be effective and enforceable at 12:01 a.m., Central Daylight Time, on April 15, 2020, and shall remain in effect until 12:01 a.m., Central Daylight Time, on April 22, 2020, at which time the same will be extended, amended or otherwise addressed.
5. This Order shall be effective upon issuance to protect and ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the Community.

It is so ORDERED, Mayor Jim Durrett, this the 14th day of April 2020.

See official order here.

Mayors Want to Answer Your COVID-19 Questions Durrett, Pitts will Present Video Q&A Session on Monday

April 9, 2020 - Communications Department

CLARKSVILLE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett and City of Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts are eager to answer citizens’ questions related to COVID-19 and the current public health emergency.

Residents are urged to submit questions for the mayors who will offer their responses during a question and answer video presentation. The video will be captioned and streamed on the County and City websites and Facebook pages on Monday, April 13.

The mayors and their staffs are individually handling numerous questions through various channels, but they want to use the video Q&A format -- which can be posted and widely shared -- to provide more answers to more people.

Citizens are invited to email questions of 100 words or less to [email protected] by 5 p.m. Saturday, April 11.

Montgomery County Mayor Extends Emergency Executive Orders

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett, signed Emergency Executive Order #5 today as a required formality for the extension of the Declaration of the State of Emergency allowed under TCA 58-2-110, that went into effect March 17 as well as existing Emergency Executive Orders #1, #2, #3 and #4.

This means that the original declaration of a state of emergency, as well as the emergency orders that followed, have been extended, as allowed by law, for an additional seven days beginning April 8 at 12:01 a.m. and ending April 15, at which time evaluation to further extend the orders will be determined.

“We will continue to take actions necessary to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the residents in Montgomery County and ask that each of you do the same. Please stay at home. The more people that follow the shelter at home orders, the faster, safer, and healthier we can get through this pandemic. We have hundreds of Fort Campbell soldiers who are in New York City right now putting their health on the line to save people. When you leave your home for nonessential reasons, you not only jeopardize yourself but others as well. It’s all about we and not me!” stated Mayor Durrett

To review; the Declaration of the State of Emergency for Montgomery County and Emergency Executive Order #1 went into effect on March 17. Emergency Executive Order #1 limited public access to county buildings, reduced staff on-site and encouraged the use of online services. Emergency Executive Order #2, went into effect on March 23, extended the declaration of the State of Emergency and Emergency Order #2 while emending the order to support Governor Bill Lee’s Executive Order #17. Emergency Order #3, issued March 24 extends the Declaration of the State of Emergency and emergency orders #1, #2. Added to the order was the 10-hour per day Monday through Thursday workweek for those employed by Montgomery County Government. Emergency Order #4, issued March 31, extended the Declaration of the State of Emergency and emergency orders #1, #2, and #3. Emergency Order #4 also directed citizens to shelter at home except when engaging in essential activities or services as described in the order and in addition to Governor Lee’s Executive Order #21.

For more information about Montgomery County Services and COVID-19 information, visit mcgtn.org or call 931-648-5787.

See official news release here

Pursuant to the authority in TCA 58-8-104, I, Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett, declared a State of Local Emergency on the 17th day of March 2020, granting to the County Mayor certain powers as allowed under TCA 58-2-110. This declaration gives political subdivisions of Tennessee State Government, Montgomery County, the ability to waive procedures relative to “performance of public works and taking whatever prudent action is necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community”. I then issued EMERGENCY ORDER # 1 on the same date. Subsequently, I issued EMERGENCEY ORDER # 2 on March 23, 2020, and EMERGENCY ORDER # 3 on March 24, 2020, and Emergency Executive Order #4 of March 31, 2020. Pursuant to those same statutes, I extend that Declaration of a state of emergency and further so ORDER the mandates of EMERGENCY ORDER(s) #1, 2, 3, and 4 for an additional seven days (7) and amend or supplement the same with EMERGENCY ORDER #5 as follows.

EMERGENCY EXECUTIVE ORDER # 5

1. The Original Declaration of a State of Emergency is extended as allowed by law.
2. EMERGENCY ORDER #1 of March 17, 2020, EMERGENCEY ORDER # 2 of March 23, 2020, and EMERGENCY ORDER # 3 of March 24, 2020, and Emergency Executive Order #4 are adopted herein in full and extended as allowed by law.
3. The mandates in each Order are not applicable to those entities identified by their work or services as critical infrastructure industry(s) as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services, pharmaceutical and food supply.
4. This Emergency Order #5 Order shall be effective and enforceable at 12:01 AM, Central Daylight Time, on April 8th, 2020, and shall remain in effect until 12:01 a.m., Central Daylight Time, on April 15, 2020, at which time the same will be extended, amended or otherwise addressed.
5. This Order shall be effective upon issuance to protect and ensure the health, saftey, and welfare of the Community.

It is so ORDERED, Mayor Jim Durrett, this the 7th day of April 2020.

See official order here.

Montgomery County Clerk’s Office has Modified Services During Shelter at Home Orders

April 6, 2020 - Communications Department

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – The Montgomery County Clerk’s Office drive-thru window is now closed. Residents who have registrations that expired in March or that will expire in April or May have been given an extension through June 15, 2020, based on an executive order from the Governor’s Office.

The executive order for the extension covers registration renewal expirations, temporary operating permits as well as disabled placard renewals. Montgomery County registration renewals can be processed online at https://mcgtn.org/clerk or by mail at Montgomery County Clerk, 350 Pageant Lane, Suite 502, Clarksville, TN 37040.

“With the Shelter at Home Order in effect, a greatly reduced staff on-site, and the extension for registrations, I felt closing the drive-thru was the responsible action to take for the safety of my employees and our citizens. We could not meet the distance requirements for our employees and manage the large volume of customers that were approaching the drive-thru for service. The Governor’s extension of expiration dates will hopefully ease the concerns of our citizens. We are thankful that so many of our services have extended deadlines to assist citizens until our normal business activities resume,” said County Clerk Kellie Jackson.

Questions can be submitted to [email protected]. Staff will be working on site and remotely to provide residents with answers and helpful information.

The County Clerk’s Office will continue processing the following applications during the closure:

• Motor Vehicle Titles – Contact our office for further information and instruction
• Registration Renewals – Due to the expiration extensions above, all renewals must be processed online or by mail at this time.
• Marriages –Applicants will be assisted by appointments only between 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday - Thursday. Applications need to be completed online and submitted. The Governor’s Executive Order has extended a current marriage license expiration until June 30, 2020. Contact our office for further information or for appointment availability.
• Notary (applicants only) – Applicants need to download the form online and contact our office for further information.
• Boats (change of ownership only) – TWRA has advised that you keep a photocopy of your bill of sale in your vessel until such time County Clerk’s Offices reopen for proof of ownership. Please contact our office if you have further questions.
• Business License – The Governor’s Executive Order extended business tax payments until June 15, 2020. If you are applying for a new Business License you can complete the online form and then contact our office for further information and instruction.

The following Montgomery County Clerk services have been suspended during the closure:

• Notarization of documents. Documents related to County Clerk transactions will be the only notarizations processed.
• Passport services – Visit www.travel.state.gov for additional information on locations offering this service.
• Boat Registration renewals (same owner, no change of ownership) – Visit www.tn.gov/twra for additional information on locations and to renew online.
• Hunting & fishing license – Visit www.tn.gov/twra for additional information on locations and to renew online.

For information on additional services and/or forms, send an email to [email protected], visit https://mcgtn.org/clerk, or call the County Clerk’s Office at 931-648-5711.

Bi-County Solid Waste Management asks for Assistance to Relieve Large Loads at Convenience Centers

April 5, 2020 - Communications Department

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – With more people staying at home due COVID-19, many residents have been taking advantage of spring cleaning and home projects. This has resulted in an overload of materials at the Bi-County Solid Waste Convenience Centers in a short time span.

Bi-County Solid Waste Management Convenience Centers are meant for smaller loads of bagged household waste, not large loads or large items. Due to the increased volume of materials, scheduling circumstances, and staff shortages related to COVID-19, Bi-County Solid Waste drivers are experiencing a rapidly increasingly number of pick-ups from the convenience centers, which causes delays and has a trickle effect on picking up other sites and recyclables.

“Debris that normally comes in over the course of several months is now coming in all at once in large volumes. Bi-County will continue providing services however, we need residents to work with us to bring larger items and loads to the main landfill scales located at 3212 Dover Road. We also request that our convenience center workers be treated with patience as they have been advised to make discretionary decisions based on box space and traffic flow,” stated Bi-County Director Mark Neblett.

The Transfer Station located at 1230 Highway Drive can also accept some larger loads and large items (no double axle trailers), however they are overwhelmed at this time and may or may not be able to handle the capacity. There could be long wait times and a request for delivery to the main landfill on Dover Road.

The hours of operation for the scales at the main landfill site on Dover Road are Monday through Friday 5:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The hours of operation for the Transfer Station are Monday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Bi-County is here to serve the citizens of Montgomery and Stewart Counties, but your help is needed to follow these guidelines so they can continue serving residents.

For questions about Bi-County Solid Waste visit or https://mcgtn.org/bi-county or call 931-648-5751. Please note that it may take some time to return your call during this time because of a high call volume.

County Commission Meetings Move to Electronic Venue for the Month of April

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order No. 16 regarding limiting gatherings to prevent the further spread of COVID-19, and allowing public meetings to take place by electronic means; the informal county commission meeting scheduled on April 6 at 6 p.m. as well as the formal county commission meeting scheduled for April 13 also at 6 p.m., will be conducted electronically

Meeting electronically and prohibiting public access to a physical location is necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public in light of COVID-19. The meeting can be viewed, as always, by the public as a live stream video on the Montgomery County YouTube Channel during the meeting or at any time after the meeting has taken place.

“Montgomery County Government will continue to follow the orders that have been given at the local and state level for the protection of the citizens. We conducted a run through of the new meeting process with the County Clerk and members of my staff who are required to participate in the meetings to ensure we had a decent connection. We hope the processes we have in place will work with any complications that may arise,” stated Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett.

For information on local COVID-19 updates in Montgomery County and online services offered through Montgomery County Government, visit mcgtn.org.

Pursuant to the authority in TCA 58-8-104, I, Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett, declared a State of Local Emergency on the 17th day of March 2020, granting to the County Mayor certain powers as allowed under TCA 58-2-110. This declaration gives political subdivisions of Tennessee State Government, Montgomery County, the ability to waive procedures relative to “performance of public works and taking whatever prudent action is necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community”. I then issued EMERGENCY ORDER # 1 on the same date. Subsequently, I issued EMERGENCEY ORDER # 2 on March 23, 2020, and EMERGENCY ORDER # 3 on March 24, 2020. Pursuant to those same statutes, I extend that Declaration of a state of emergency and further so ORDER the mandates of EMERGENCY ORDER(s) #1, 2, and 3 for an additional seven days (7) and amend or supplement the same with EMERGENCY ORDER #4 as follows.

EMERGENCY EXECUTIVE ORDER # 4

1. The Original Declaration of a State of Emergency is extended as allowed by law.
2. EMERGENCY ORDER #1 of March 17, 2020, EMERGENCEY ORDER # 2 of March 23, 2020, and EMERGENCY ORDER # 3 of March 24, 2020 are adopted herein in full and extended as allowed by law.
3. 3. New Provisions of EMERGENCY EXECUTIVE ORDER # 4 are as follows:

   SECTION 1

   Citizens of Montgomery County are directed to shelter at home except when engaging in Essential Activities or Essential Services as defined herein. When individuals leave their homes or places of residence, they should practice appropriate social distancing staying six (6) feet apart, and should assume others are infectious, regardless of whether they exhibit symptoms.

   All gatherings are strongly discouraged, and those with more than ten (10) people are strictly prohibited. Gatherings include any event or convening unrelated to essential services that bring together groups of individuals, including, but not limited to, community, civic, public, leisure, faith-based, or sporting events, parades, concerts, festivals, conventions, fundraisers, and similar activities.

   All parks’ open areas will remain open. Open areas are only those for walking, running and those not designed for use by groups of persons. Citizens using these open spaces are directed to adhere to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance on social distancing and hand hygiene, remaining six (6) feet apart. All “buildings, playground areas and structures” of any type in all parks will be closed.

   Individuals experiencing homelessness, who may include individuals in shelters and homeless encampments, shall not be subject to this order but shall be encouraged to follow CDC guidance on social distancing and hand hygiene.

   SECTION 2

   All businesses not performing essential services shall close their business facilities, subject to exceptions stated in this Order. Facilities shall remain accessible as needed to service computer and other equipment, process mail, and maintain security.

   This closure order includes, but is not limited to:

   • On-site activities at hospitality, educational, and entertainment venues, businesses, and facilities are directed to close to the public. On-line activities and deliveries through these businesses may continue.
   • Personal appearance businesses, including hair, nail, massage, tattoo, tanning, waxing, and other such facilities are directed to close, except when the service is medically necessary.
   • Public and private entertainment and social clubs are directed to close.

   Nothing in this Order shall prohibit any business possessing applicable licenses or permits from conducting deliveries; however, CDC guidance on social distancing shall be followed when possible.

   Nothing in this order is intended to prohibit individuals from performing business functions of nonessential businesses from their own homes, provided that such business functions comply with existing law and are only performed by residents of that home.

   SECTION 3

   As set forth by the Federal Department of Homeland Security in the link below, the federal government has identified 16 critical infrastructure sectors whose assets, systems and networks, whether physical or virtual, are considered so vital to the United States that their incapacitation or destruction would have a debilitating effect on security, economic security, public health or safety, or any combination thereof. Individuals working in these 16 critical infrastructure sectors may continue their work because of the importance of these sectors to the health and well-being of individuals residing or working in Montgomery County. Federal Department of Homeland Security: https://www.cisa.fov/identifying-critical-infrastructure-during-covid-19.

   SECTION 4

   This Order does not apply to the following sectors and businesses and their employees as essential services to protect the health and well-being of all individuals residing or working in Montgomery County.

   • Federal and state offices and services, and private companies or individuals performing under federal, state, or local government contracts;
   • Essential government functions including, but not limited to, law enforcement, public transportation, and businesses that provide government programs and services, including functions assisting economically disadvantaged populations and individuals experiencing homelessness;
   • Companies providing media, communication and telecommunication services;
   • Grocery and beverage stores, farmers markets, food banks, caterers, convenience stores selling food, agriculture, food manufacturing and processing, feed mills, and other businesses that directly support the food supply, including but not limited to farming, livestock, and food cultivation;
   • Healthcare, mental and behavioral health, biomedical research, laboratory services, and other businesses that directly support the healthcare industry including, but not limited to, health information technology, staffing and supplies;
   • Sanitation and waste removal;
   • Energy, water, and sewage businesses and services;
   • Pharmacies, medical supply, and other businesses that directly support the drug and medical supply pipeline;
   • Vehicle fuel, support, and service stations, vehicle parts and repair businesses, and vehicle sales, leasing and rental businesses;
   • Banks, savings and loans, insurance companies, accounting businesses, and other business that directly support the insurance and financial services sectors;
   • Real property marketing, leasing, purchase, and sale services;
   • Legal and judicial services;
   • Laundromats, laundry, and cleaning services;
   • Home and business structure and equipment repair, hardware, building supply, and appliance sale and repairs;
   • Warehousing and storage facilities;
   • Construction, architectural, engineering, or surveying services;
   • Product logistics, transport, and distribution businesses;
   • Parcel transportation and delivery businesses;
   • Veterinary and pet supply business and services;
   • Home and business cleaning and maintenance services;
   • Educational institutions, public and private K-12 schools, private colleges and universities, trade schools, post-secondary, and technical colleges, but only as needed to facilitate online or distance learning and essential functions;
   • Landscaping and nurseries;
   • Production, distribution, and sale of household consumer goods such as cleaning and personal care products;
   • Essential building maintenance and security;
   • Individuals whose job functions require them to be at their work location and who are essential to preserving the information systems, accounting, and human resource infrastructures of any business which is otherwise in substantial compliance with this order;
   • Nonprofit entities providing support and assistance to victims of the COVID-19 epidemic; and
   • Other businesses and services that may be determined are essential for the continued safety and security of Montgomery County.

   SECTION 5

   The following businesses may remain open subject to compliance with the following conditions:

   • Daycare and childcare business shall prioritize children of parents working for essential infrastructure sectors, businesses, or service providers to the extent practicable.
   • Assisted living facilities, nursing homes, adult daycare centers, funeral homes and mortuaries, home health businesses, and senior residential facilities shall follow CDC guidance on social distancing and hand hygiene to the extent practicable. Non-essential social and educational programs at senior citizen and other assisted living communities and centers shall end until further notice.
   • Hotels, short term rental properties, commercial lodges, and dormitories shall cease entertainment or dine-in services, subject to allowing food and beverage pick-up and room-service.
   • Golf Courses and their facilities may remain open as an outdoor recreation opportunity and abiding by all of this order’s social distancing requirements. However, as to the other business operations thereon, restaurants, clubhouse, spas, driving and putting facility they shall be closed except as pick up or delivery of food and payments for facility use.

   SECTION 6

   Essential services, especially grocery stores and pharmacies, shall make best efforts to establish hours of operations during which their services are available only to senior citizens or otherwise vulnerable populations.

   Essential services shall continue to adhere to CDC guidance on social distancing and hand hygiene in the workplace, including encouraging work-from-home and allowing employees when possible to work on-site in shifts to optimize social distancing in the workplace, where possible.

   Essential services are encouraged to utilize, to the maximum extent possible, any telecommuting or work-from-home procedures they can safely utilize.

4. This directive comes from the Executive Order #21 of the Honorable Bill Lee, Governor. Businesses or organizations that perform close-contact personal services shall not be open to members or the public. Such businesses or organizations include, but are not limited to:
   1. Barber shops;
   2. Hair salons;
   3. Waxing salons;
   4. Threading salons;
   5. Nail salons or spas;
   6. Spas providing body treatments;
   7. Body-art facilities or tattoo services;
   8. Tanning salons;
   9. Massage-therapy establishments or massage services.
5. This directive comes from the Executive Order #21 of the Honorable Bill Lee, Governor. Entertainment and recreational gathering venues shall not be open to members or the public. Such venues include, but are not limited to:
   1. Night clubs;
   2. Bowling alleys;
   3. Arcades;
   4. Concert venues;
   5. Theaters, auditoriums, performing arts centers, or similar facilities;
   6. Racetracks;
   7. Indoor children’s play areas;
   8. Adult entertainment venues;
   9. Amusement parks; or
   10. Roller or ice-skating rinks.
6. If any provision, sentence, clause, phrase, or word, of this Order or any application of it to any individual, business, or circumstance is held to be invalid by a decision of a court of competent jurisdiction, then such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions or applications of this Order.
7. The mandates in each ORDER are not applicable to those entities identified by their work or services as critical infrastructure industry(s) as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services, pharmaceutical and food supply. This ORDER does not apply to activities necessary to maintain continuity of operations of critical infrastructure sectors, as outlined at https://www.cisa.fov/identifying-critical-infrastructure-during-covid-19.
8. This EMERGENCY EXECUTIVE ORDER # 4 Order shall be effective and enforceable at 12:01 AM, Central Daylight Time, on April 1, 2020, and shall remain in effect until 12:01 a.m., Central Daylight Time, on April 8, 2020, at which time the same will be extended, amended or otherwise addressed.
9. This Order shall be effective upon issuance to protect and ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the Community.

It is so ORDERED, Mayor Jim Durrett, this the 31st day of March 2020.

See official order here.

Healthcare Community Discusses COVID-19

March 27, 2020 - Communications Department

Montgomery County, TN — Montgomery County Government Emergency Services Director Jimmie Edwards, initiated the first collaborative medical community conference call this morning to share information and discuss what is needed in our local healthcare community. Included in the call were representatives from Tennova, Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, Montgomery County Health Department, Premier Medical Group, various walk-in and urgent care clinics, Austin Peay State University and Clarksville-Montgomery County School System.

“It’s important to know that most of us have been communicating for several weeks. These conference calls provide us with the ability to involve all healthcare facilities in Clarksville, Montgomery County. We left the conversation in agreement that it is important to conduct the calls on a regular basis,” stated Edwards.

The group discussed test counts, the possibility of planning for clinical pathways related to assessment, testing, and treatment locations, personal protective equipment needs and the overall supply situation and path for the distribution of supplies.

Many people are coming to healthcare facilities for symptoms that match COVID-19 symptoms, but approximately 93% of those tests come back negative from the Tennessee Department of Health.

“The people coming in for testing confirm there are a lot of illnesses going around at this time. We are seeing people with respiratory issues related to everything from the regular flu, to bronchitis, to allergies which have all or some of the same symptoms as COVID-19. On our busiest day so far, we had nearly 150 people in line for assessment, 61 were tested because they had COVID-19 symptoms. Of those 61 tested that day, none were positive for COVID-19,” said Montgomery County Health Director Joey Smith.

Dr. Mike Carrigan, Chief Administrator of Premier Medical Group said, “We must continue to get the message out on where people should go first for treatment, where to go for triage, and to keep them out of the hospital emergency rooms.”

Those who represented the clinics and are not testing for COVID-19 are working to treat systematic viral issues and keep people from going to the emergency rooms unnecessarily.

Edwards stated, “This is a fluid situation that continues to evolve. Working together through this pandemic is what we have been trained to do and is absolutely critical in winning the war against COVID-19.”

Citizens who feel they have the symptoms of COVID-19, should call their primary healthcare provider and follow instructions on whether to seek testing. For more information on the symptoms, homecare, response and outbreaks related to COVID-19, visit cdc.gov. For local information and community resources, visit the Montgomery County Government or City of Clarksville web sites.

Extension of Tennessee Supreme Court Order

March 26, 2020 - Communications Department

Order to Continue the Suspension of In-Person Court Proceedings Extended by Tennessee Supreme Court

Montgomery County, TN – The Chief Justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court decision to suspend in-person proceedings in all state and local courts in Tennessee, including but not limited to municipal, juvenile, general sessions, trial, and appellate courts, through March 31, 2020 has been extended through April 30, 2020.

To clarify, local and state courts of the State of Tennessee are open and will remain open subject to the provisions of Continuity of Operations Plan for the courts of Tennessee. See Tenn. Const. Art. VI, § 1; Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 16-3-501 to 16-3-504 (2009); Moore-Pennoyer v. State, 515 S.W.3d 271, 276-77 (Tenn. 2017); Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 49.

Under these provisions, all in-person proceedings in all state and local courts in Tennessee, including but not limited to municipal, juvenile, general sessions, trial, and appellate courts, shall be suspended through April 30, 2020, subject to the exceptions below.

Exceptions to the suspension of in-person court proceedings include, but are not limited to:

• Proceedings necessary to protect constitutional rights of criminal defendants, including bond-related matters, preliminary hearings for incarcerated individuals, and plea agreements for incarcerated individuals
• Proceedings related to relief from abuse, including but not limited to orders of protection
• Proceedings related to statutory order of protection hearings after entry of an ex parte order as necessary to satisfy any due process concerns
• Proceedings related to emergency child custody or visitation orders
• Proceedings related to the voluntary surrender of parental rights
• Settlements involving a minor or a person with a disability
• Department of Children’s Services emergency matters related to child safety, placement, permanency, or federal funding for children in foster care
• Proceedings related to petitions for temporary injunctive relief
• Proceedings related to emergency mental health orders
• Proceedings related to emergency protection of elderly or vulnerable persons
• Proceedings directly related to the COVID-19 public health emergency
• Other exceptions as approved by the Chief Justice

The presiding judge or designee of the presiding judge of each judicial district is authorized to determine how in-person court proceedings for the exceptions listed above are to be conducted.

Deadlines set forth in court rules, statutes, ordinances, administrative rules, or otherwise set to expire between March 13 to May 5, 2020 are extended through May 6, 2020. Statutes of limitations and statutes of repose set to expire between March 13 to May 5, 2020 are extended through May 6, 2020. Orders of protection and temporary injunctions set to expire between March 13 to May 5, 2020 are extended through May 6, 2020.

The order is intended to be interpreted broadly for protection of the public from risks associated with COVID-19.

Read the full Tennessee Supreme Court Order here. For more information about the current modified services offered the Montgomery County Government Court System, visit the Montgomery County Government web site. You can also find information related to COVID-19 at the county web site.

Partnership is Key to Prevention and Mitigation of COVID-19

March 25, 2020 - Communications Department

All Clarksville, Montgomery County Residents Urged to Take Preventive Measures

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – The Montgomery County Health Department is working in partnership with Montgomery County Government, the City of Clarksville, Fort Campbell, Tennova Healthcare, Premier Medical Group, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville-Montgomery County School System, other local schools, and other local, regional and state officials to implement prevention and mitigation strategies for local communities based on guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and by state leadership. Montgomery County has a local preparedness plan for pandemics that is practiced yearly, and this plan is the basis for the county’s response to COVID-19.

“We're working to ensure that everyone in Montgomery County that has a clinical picture consistent with COVID-19 can be tested,” said Joey Smith, Montgomery County Public Health Director. “We need all Montgomery County residents to join the effort to prevent further spread of this illness in our communities.”

“It is important to note that the testing process for COVID-19 is not like a rapid flu test, with results provided on the spot. Testing for COVID-19 is conducted in the laboratory, so the tests are not distributed to health care facilities. Rather, health care providers take samples from their patients and submit them to a laboratory for testing,” added Smith.

Many health care providers can assess patients for COVID-19 and collect samples to submit for testing. People who have concerns about their health should contact their regular health care providers, who can assess their risk and determine if they should be tested. People who don’t have insurance and have concerns they may have symptoms of COVID-19 can contact the Montgomery County Health Department for consultation and to talk through potential options for assessment.

Most people, particularly those with mild or no symptoms, do not need assessment for COVID-19. Public health authorities are prioritizing testing of people in high-risk categories: contacts of confirmed cases; people in occupations with exposure to large numbers of contacts; health care workers; nursing home residents; severely immunocompromised patients; critically ill patients; pregnant women and people who have traveled to areas with high case counts.

Anyone concerned about their health should first contact their regular health care provider. If you feel you need treatment, call the health care provider or facility first, so they can arrange for your arrival if you need to come in and can accommodate you while reducing risk of exposing other people to illness.

There are lots of things everyone can do to help flatten the curve and reduce the impact of COVID-19:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water (or alcohol-based hand rub) for at least 20 seconds, especially after coughing or sneezing
• Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with your arm or a tissue
• Clean and disinfect objects (e.g., cell phone, computer) and high touch surfaces regularly

Some people are at higher risk of getting very sick from this illness, including older adults and people who have serious chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes or lung disease. It’s extra important for people in these groups to take actions to reduce their risk of getting sick with COVID-19:

• Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others
• When you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick, limit close contact and wash your hands often
• Avoid crowds as much as possible
• Avoid cruise travel and non-essential air travel
• During a COVID-19 outbreak in your community, stay home as much as possible to further reduce your risk of being exposed

For a list of assessment sites, please visit https://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov/remote-assessment-sites.html.

For additional information, please visit www.tn.gov/governor/covid-19.html, www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov.html and www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html.

Montgomery County Clerk’s Office Update to Services

March 24, 2020 - Mayor's Office

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – The Montgomery County Clerk’s Office is informing citizens that expiration dates for vehicle registrations have been extended for those that expire in March and April. Based on Governor Bill Lee’s Executive Order, registration renewal expirations, temporary operating permits as well as disabled placard renewals that would have been renewed in March or April, have now been extended until June 15, 2020. Due to this extension, all Montgomery County registration renewals must be processed online at www.mcclerktn.org or by mail at the address listed below.

Montgomery County Clerk Kellie Jackson stated, “This is a much-needed benefit for our citizens during this time of restricted activity. With a large volume of registration expirations delayed until June 15, this not only helps alleviate concerns for citizens but also allows us to assist customers requesting other services that still have mandated deadlines.”

Montgomery County Clerk Kellie Jackson stated, “This is a much-needed benefit for our citizens during this time of restricted activity. With a large volume of registration expirations delayed until June 15, this not only helps alleviate concerns for citizens but also allows us to assist customers requesting other services that still have mandated deadlines.”

Marriage License requests will be processed by appointment only. Applicants should complete the online application and call for an appointment at the phone number below.

Services offered at the drive-thru are limited to title applications only, at this time, and will be open Mondays through Thursdays from 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning Monday, March 30 until further notice.

The following Montgomery County Clerk services have been temporarily suspended:

Passport Services; visit www.travel.state.gov for additional information on locations offering this service. Boat Registration Renewals (same owner, no change of ownership); visit www.tn.gov/twra for additional information on locations and to renew online. Hunting & Fishing License; visit www.tn.gov/twra for additional information on locations and to renew online.

For information on additional services and/or forms, please visit https://mcgtn.org/clerk or call the County Clerk’s at 931-648-5711. The mailing address is Montgomery County Clerk, 350 Pageant Lane, Suite 502, Clarksville, TN 37040 if you wish to renew by mail.

Montgomery County Mayor Executes Emergency Order to Change County Operational Times

March 24, 2020 - Mayor's Office

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett has implemented Emergency Order # 3 pursuant to the authority in TCA 58-8-104 to change working hours for Montgomery County employees from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Executive Order #3 goes into effect Wednesday, March 25 at 12:01 a.m. The change to work hours begins Monday, March 30, 2020. Drive-through services will be open to the public from 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m.

With exception to emergency medical services, all county offices will be closed on Fridays until further notice. County employees will maintain week on, week off shifts with a percentage of employees from each department working at home to continue minimal contact and allow for social distancing.

Emergency Order # 3 contains the following information:

1. Emergency Order #1 of March 17, 2020, and Emergency Order #2 of March 23, 2020, are adopted herein and extended as the law may allow.
2. Four (4) day “work week” for Montgomery County Employees:
   1. All county offices will be limited to a 4-day work week consisting of Monday-Thursday, beginning March 30, 2020. All office hours will be from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM; and
   2. All First Responders, Emergency Service workers and support staff will continue to operate on their respective schedules; and
   3. In keeping with FLSA, all employees will be given a lunch break or break within a 6-hour time period and breaks during the day.
3. This Order shall be effective and enforceable at 12:01 am Central Daylight Time, on March 25, 2020, and shall remain in effect until the passing of seven (7) days, at which time the same will be extended, amended or otherwise addressed.
4. This Order shall be effective upon issuance, as it is necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community.

“The decision to close our offices on Fridays provides us with additional time for deep and thorough cleaning between shifts. It is our priority to keep our citizens, including county public servants, as safe and well as possible,” said Mayor Durrett.

Because the COVID-19 situation is fluid, please continue to seek information on the county web site, Montgomery County Government social media and local media for updates. Montgomery County Government offers many services online on each department page through the government tab.

Please continue to follow CDC guidelines as we work through this health crisis. Additional information is available at https://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov.html.

See Official Order Here

Mayors issue orders limiting activity

March 23, 2020 - Mayor's Office

Civil Emergency declared to fight spread of COVID-19

CLARKSVILLE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett and Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts announced Monday coordinated executive orders directing residents in Clarksville-Montgomery County to limit the size of social gatherings and restrict certain business operations.

The orders declare a Civil Emergency, expanding actions taken earlier by both mayors to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic by limiting gatherings and in-person contact.

“Many of you have already closed or altered your businesses to support these actions, and we are very grateful,” the mayors said in a joint statement. “This is an extremely difficult time for our County and City, especially for the business community. We are taking these steps because the sooner we stop the spread of the coronavirus, the sooner we can all get back to business.”

Mayor Durrett issued his order Monday afternoon, as did Mayor Pitts after it was approved by the City Council. The orders take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, March 25, and shall remain in effect until 12:01 a.m. on April 1, 2020, at which time the orders can be extended in seven day increments.

Here is an overview of the coordinated orders, which incorporate all of the provisions of Gov. Bill Lee’s executive orders 16 and 17, which he issued Sunday, March 22. In some cases, the local executives add provisions beyond what Gov. Lee ordered:

• Social gatherings of 10 or more people are prohibited. In businesses, buildings and facilities that have a per person legal maximum occupancy of 50 persons or less, occupancy shall be temporarily reduced to 10, and those businesses, buildings, facilities that have a legal maximum occupancy of 51 persons or more, shall be temporarily reduced by one-half of their legal maximum occupancy.
• Restaurants, bars, and similar food and drink establishments are to exclusively offer drive-through, take-out or delivery options.
• Restaurants, bars, and similar food and drink establishments may sell alcohol by take-out or delivery (with the purchase of food) in closed containers to those who are age 21 and up.
• Gyms and fitness/exercise centers or substantially similar facilities are to temporarily close and suspend in-person services.
• The mayors’ orders also close movie theaters, performing arts theaters, yoga studios, dance studios, bowling alleys and arcades.
• The mayors’ orders close to public access the common area or public space of indoor or enclosed shopping malls.

The orders, also in line with Gov. Lee’s order, pursue additional measures to keep vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with underlying conditions safe.

• Visitation to nursing homes, retirement homes, and long-term care or assisted-living facilities is limited to visits involving essential care only.
• Businesses are encouraged to enact policies that take extra steps to assist vulnerable populations by considering measures such as shopping hours exclusive from the general public.

The mayors’ orders also direct City and County department heads to be proactive and are authorized to take any lawful action pertaining to their departments to effect and enforce the provisions of the orders for the purpose of preventing the spread of the COVID-19 disease.

Both mayors’ orders stress that the restrictions do not apply to critical infrastructure as defined by Homeland Security -- industries such as healthcare services, pharmaceutical, food supply, utilities, information technology and public safety.

In related decisions apart from the formal orders, County and City park open spaces will remain open, while facilities such as recreation centers are closed. Citizens using such public open spaces should adhere to CDC guidance on social distancing and hand hygiene, remaining 6 feet apart.

For information on the state and national response to COVID-19 and updates on working together to reduce infections, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html and https://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov.html.

Montgomery County executive order: https://mcgtn.org/storage/departments/government/covid19/eo2.pdf

City of Clarksville executive order: https://www.cityofclarksville.com/DocumentCenter/View/4599/City-Mayoral-Executive-Order-02

Gov. Lee’s orders: https://sos.tn.gov/products/division-publications/executive-orders-governor-bill-lee

Pursuant to the authority in TCA 58-8-104, I, Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett, declared a State of Local Emergency on the 17th day of March 2020, granting to the County Mayor certain powers as allowed under TCA 58-2-110. This declaration gives political subdivisions of government, both City and County, the ability to waive procedures relative to “performance of public works and taking whatever prudent action is necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community” and issued EMERGENCY ORDER #1. Pursuant to those same statutes, I extend that Declaration and further so ORDER the same for an additional seven days (7) and amend or supplement the same with EMERGENCY ORDER #2 as follows.

Emergency Order #2

1. In accordance with the provisions of Executive Order #17 of the Honorable Bill Lee, Governor, the President's Coronavirus Guidelines for America and the guidance from the CDC, to limit the spread of COVID-19 so that normal life and activities may resume as soon as possible:
   1. Persons in the Montgomery County, Tennessee shall not participate in social gatherings of ten (10) or more people. For purposes of this ORDER, social gatherings do not include the activities of blood collection/donation agencies like the Red Cross.This provision taken directly from the Executive Order #17 with minor revisions specific to Montgomery County, Tennessee.
   2. Persons in the State of Tennessee shall not eat or drink onsite at restaurants, bars, or other similar food or drink establishments, and shall not visit gyms or fitness/exercise centers or substantially similar facilities. This provision is taken directly from the Executive Order #17.
   3. Restaurants, bars, and similar food or drink establishments, including nightclubs, shall not be open to persons, except only to offer drive­ through, pickup, carry-out, or delivery service for food or drink, and persons are highly encouraged to use such drive-through, pickup, carry-out, or delivery options to support such businesses during this emergency. This provision is taken directly from the Executive Order #17.
   4. Movie theaters and preforming arts theaters, arcades, gyms, indoor exercise and fitness facilities, yoga studios, dance studios, and bowling alley, fitness/exercise centers or substantially similar facilities shall not be open to members or the public, although persons are highly encouraged to use any available electronic or virtual fitness options to support such businesses during this emergency. This provision is taken directly from the Executive Order #17 with minor revisions specific to Montgomery County, Tennessee.
   5. Persons in the State of Tennessee shall not visit nursing homes, retirement homes, or long-term care or assisted-living facilities, unless to provide essential assistance or to visit residents receiving imminent end-of-life care, provided such visits may be accomplished without unreasonable risk to other residents. Persons are highly encouraged to use available electronic or virtual communication to spend time with their family members, friends, loved ones, and other persons in those facilities. This provision is taken directly from the Executive Order #17.
   6. Persons and businesses should take particular care to protect the well­ being of those populations especially vulnerable to COVID-19, including older adults and persons with compromised immune systems or serious chronic medical conditions, by, among other things, taking care to adhere to all precautions advised by the President and the CDC and refraining to the extent practicable from physical contact and association. Businesses should further consider implementing measures to protect our most vulnerable populations by, for example, offering delivery service or special opportunities for members of vulnerable populations to shop in retail establishments exclusive of the general population. This provision is taken directly from the Executive Order #17.
   7. This Order does not mandate sheltering in place and does not prohibit persons from visiting places necessary to maintain health and economic well-being, including grocery stores, gas stations, parks, and banks, among other places, so long as they observe the necessary precautions advised by the President and the CDC to reduce the spread of COVID-19. This provision is taken directly from the Executive Order #17.
   8. All critical infrastructure remains operational, and government entities and businesses will continue providing important and essential services. This provision is taken directly from the Executive Order #17.
   9. For offices, workplaces, and businesses that remain open, employees should work from home where feasible, and employees and their customers should practice good hygiene and observe the necessary precautions advised by the President and the CDC to reduce the spread of COVID-19. This provision is taken directly from the Executive Order #17.
   10. As to all facilities and businesses open to the public that are not precluded from operation or limited in allowing the public to be on the premises under Emergency Order # 1 or hereinabove, and in order to reduce the number of persons on the premises at any one time, those businesses’ whose premises have a per person legal load capacity of 50 or less must take affirmative actions to limit and enforce a limit of the number of persons who can be within that premise to less than 10 at any given time; and those business whose premises have a per person legal load capacity of 51 or more must take affirmative actions to limit and enforce a limit of the number of persons who can be within that premise to less than one half (1/2) of the per person legal load capacity at any given time. This provision is specific to Montgomery County only.
   11. Public Access to the interior common area or public space of all indoor or enclosed shopping malls in which at least part of the stores has interior entrances/exits shall be closed to in-person public access during the effective time period of this emergency order. This provision is specific to Montgomery County only.
2. The following are taken directly from Executive Order #17 of the Honorable Governor, Bill Lee and as Beer, but not alcoholic beverages are regulated in the unincorporated area, these are adopted as they relate to the sale of Beer. As to Beer, the provisions of Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 57, and related rules and other state or local laws, orders, rules, or regulations are temporarily suspended to the extent necessary to allow restaurants and limited service restaurants, as defined in Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 57-4-102, and wine-only restaurants, as permitted by Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 57-4-lOl(c), to sell for take-out or delivery alcoholic beverages or beer, so long as the following conditions are met:
   1. Any sale of an alcoholic beverage or beer is for consumption off the premises of the restaurant, limited service restaurant, or wine-only restaurant (collectively referred to hereafter as "restaurant") and is accompanied by the sale of food in the same order;
   2. An alcoholic beverage or beer sold under this Paragraph 5 must be packaged in a container or bottle with a secure lid or cap and in a manner designed to prevent consumption without removal of the lid or cap, and customers shall not remove such lids or caps while operating a motor vehicle;
   3. Single servings of alcoholic beverages or beer and multi-serving bottles or containers of beer or wine normally sold by the restaurant may be sold under this Paragraph 5, but not bottles of spirits or liquor;
   4. A restaurant selling alcoholic beverages or beer under this Paragraph 5 shall prominently post a warning in a manner reasonably calculated to provide notice to customers of open container laws, which must include the following language from Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 55-10-416: "No driver shall consume any alcoholic beverage or beer or possess an open container of alcoholic beverage or beer while operating a motor vehicle in this state.";
   5. An employee or contractor of a restaurant providing or delivering alcoholic beverages or beer to a customer under this Paragraph 5 shall not provide or deliver such beverages to any person under twenty-one (21) years of age and may not provide or deliver such beverages to a person who is visibly intoxicated. Any such employee providing or delivering alcoholic beverages or beer must visually inspect a valid government-issued document deemed acceptable to the restaurant that includes the photograph and birth date of the adult consumer attempting to make an alcoholic beverage purchase and confirms that the person is at least twenty-one (21) years of age;
   6. A person delivering alcoholic beverages or beer under this Paragraph 5 must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age and must have a valid driver license; and
   7. An alcoholic beverage or beer sold under this Paragraph 5 must be sold during current operating hours.
   8. All Beer permits issued by Montgomery County for the unincorporated area authorize the sale of beer for the consumption on and off-site. The beer permits are limited now to only off-site consumption. Further, or on-site consumption is not allowed. This provision is specific to Montgomery County only.
   9. Any state or local law, order, rule, or regulation inconsistent with this Order is hereby suspended.
3. In accordance with the provisions of Executive Order #16 of the Honorable Bill Lee, Governor, the President's Coronavirus Guidelines for America and the guidance from the CDC, to limit the spread of COVID-19 so that normal life and activities may resume as soon as possible do hereby further order the following:
   1. As a reasonable measure to protect the safety and welfare of Tennesseans while ensuring that government business may continue in a manner that is open and accessible to the public, the provisions of Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8, Chapter 44, Part 1, are hereby suspended for all Montgomery County, Tennessee (the governing body) public meetings as necessary to allow a governing body, as defined in Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 8-44-102, to meet and conduct its essential business by electronic means, rather than being required to gather a quorum of members physically present at the same location. In doing so, the governing body will conduct that meeting electronically without any members of the General Public allowed, only the attending members of the commission, and staff directly related to the meeting will be in physical attendance as determined by the Chair, to protect the health, safety, and welfare of Tennesseans considering the COVID-19 outbreak, subject to the following conditions:
   2. The governing body meetings conducted by electronic means under this Order shall remain open and accessible to public attendance by electronic means, as follows: Montgomery County will make reasonable efforts to ensure that the public access to the meeting via electronic means is live access, but if the governing body cannot provide such live public access despite reasonable efforts, the governing body will make a clear audio or video recording of the meeting available to the public as soon as practicable following the meeting, and in no event more than two business days after the meeting; and
   3. This Order does not in any way limit existing quorum, meeting notice, or voting requirements under law, and governing bodies will provide the public with clear notice of the meeting agenda and how the public can access the meeting electronically at a time and location reasonably accessible to all members of the public; and
   4. All other provisions of Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 8-44-108(c), remain in effect; and
   5. All such meetings shall be conducted in a manner consistent with Article I, Section 19 of the Tennessee Constitution. This provision (3), and all subparts, is taken directly from the Executive Order #16 with the proper outline and notice of procedures for compliance.
4. The Montgomery County Emergency Order #1 by Mayor Durrett, of March 17, 2020 is adopted herein and extended as the law may allow.
5. This Order is not applicable to those entities identified by their work as critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services and pharmaceutical and food supply.
6. This Order shall be effective and enforceable at 12:01 a.m., Central Daylight Time, on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, and shall remain in effect for seven days, at which time the same will be extended, amended or otherwise addressed.

It is so ORDERED, Mayor Jim Durrett, this the 23rd day of March 2020.This Order shall be effective upon issuance.

See Official Order Here

Mayors Urge Residents to Avoid Gatherings - County, City Leaders Call for 'Social Distancing'

March 20, 2020 - Mayor's Office

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – County Mayor Jim Durrett and Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts are urging residents to shelter in place as much as possible, practice social distancing and avoid gathering in groups of more than 10 people as the community battles the COVID-19 pandemic.

The federal Centers for Disease Control has issued this advice: “All events of 10 or more people should be canceled or held virtually, and people should stay 3-6 feet apart.”

The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Tennessee climbed to 228 Friday as testing increased in the state and around the country. Three cases were confirmed in Montgomery County. Both mayors formally declared states of local emergency this week to help city and county governments deal with growing spread of the coronavirus outbreak.

While the mayors’ advice, issued after a meeting with public health and legal advisers Friday afternoon, is not considered a legal order, they are urging people not to gather in places of worship, at gyms, restaurants or bars over the weekend.

Both mayors thanked local businesses and churches who already announced decisions to close and minimize gatherings.

“People should only get out to conduct essential missions, such as buying groceries and medical supplies,” City Mayor Joe Pitts said. “We urge food businesses to be responsible and offer take-out orders, drive-thru service, curbside pickup, and delivery service, while not allowing large gatherings.”

Mayor Jim Durrett addressed the issue of church attendance:

“We are asking churches to please do your part to keep COVID-19 to a minimum in our community,” Mayor Durrett said. “A church is essential but prayer is more essential.”

Residents are encouraged to visit the CDC website for updates on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Montgomery County Mayor Declares State of Local Emergency

March 17, 2020 - Mayor's Office

Pursuant to the authority in TCA 58-2-110, Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett has declared a State of Local Emergency for Montgomery County, Tennessee. This declaration gives political subdivisions of government, both City and County, the ability to waive procedures relative to “performance of public works and taking whatever prudent action is necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community.”

In announcing this declaration, Mayor Durrett has advised all Constitutional Officers and County Department Heads that physical presence in county facilities from the general public will be limited, beginning Thursday, March 19, 2020, through Friday, April 3, 2020. County offices will remain staffed. Certain court functions and filings will still occur, however, there will be limited public access in the buildings. All doors will be posted with signage indicating office phone numbers, extensions and other pertinent information. Residents are also encouraged to take advantage of the many online service options Montgomery County offers through the various departments at mcgtn.org.

All county departments have been directed to minimize staffing and create work shifts that separate supervisors and key department personnel. Shifts will work for one week at a time in the office/facility while the other shift(s) work to answer calls and emails from home. The work environment will be cleaned prior to the next team rotating into the county facility. Employees who are sick have been directed to stay home and follow the CDC guidelines in seeking medical attention.

“As of 2 p.m. today, we did not have a confirmed case of COVID-19 in Montgomery County. However, I have decided to take action to minimize the spread of this virus with our workforce and community. This decision is not based on panic or fear but is a proactive step to ‘flattening the curve’ of this disease. I would rather be accused of over-reacting for the safety of our community than looking back in retrospect wishing I would have done more to protect the citizens of Montgomery County,” said Mayor Durrett.

“I am also requesting that the citizens and businesses of Montgomery County follow our lead and take proactive steps to prevent the spread of this virus. I realize taking some of these steps will be very difficult and, in some cases, may cause financial loss. Unfortunately, if we do not make changes, the long-term risk is likely to be much more costly,” said Mayor Durrett.

Many small businesses, including the foodservice industry, have or are formulating provisions for drive-through or pick-up options. Citizens are encouraged to continue patronizing all businesses in a way that minimizes social contact.

As precautionary measures are put in place, please don’t forget about those who work in public safety or in the food chain industry. These are the people who must continue to provide the services and food we need.

PLEASE follow the guidelines that have been set forth by the CDC;

1. Listen to and follow the directions of your state and local authorities.
2. If you feel sick, stay home. Do not go to work. Contact your medical provider.
3. If your children are sick, keep them at home. Do not send them to school or daycare. Contact your medical provider.
4. If someone in your household has tested positive for the coronavirus, keep the entire household at home. Do not go to work. Do not go to school. Contact your medical provider.
5. If you are an older adult, stay home and away from other people.
6. If you are a person with a serious underlying health condition that can put you at increased risk (for example, a condition that impairs your lung or heart function or weakens your immune system), stay home and away from other people.
7. Even if you are young, or otherwise healthy, you are at risk and your activities can increase the risk for others. It is critical that you do your part to stop the spread of the coronavirus:
   1. Work or engage in schooling from home whenever possible.
   2. If you work in a critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services and pharmaceutical and food supply, you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule. You and your employers should follow CDC guidance to protect your health at work.
   3. Avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people.
   4. Avoid eating or drinking in bars, restaurants, and food courts – use drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options.
   5. Avoid discretionary travel, shopping trips, and social visits.
   6. Do not visit nursing homes or retirement or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance.
8. Practice good hygiene:
   1. Wash your hands, especially after touching any frequently used item or surface.
   2. Avoid touching your face.
   3. Sneeze or cough into a tissue, or the inside of your elbow.
   4. Disinfect frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible.

Lastly, Mayor Durrett encourages people to help each other whenever possible. “If you are well enough and conditions require you to stay at home and a neighbor is working; please volunteer to do things like; mow their lawn, haul their garbage (wear protective gloves), pick up groceries or help in whatever way you can. Together, we will get through this.”

New COVID-19 APP Feature in MoCoInfo

March 20, 2020 - Sheriff's Office

CLARKSVILLE, TN – For the latest information on the Coronavirus from the CDC and Montgomery County Government, visit the MoCoInfo App and select the COVID-19 icon.

To download the app go to the Apple Store or Google Play and search Mont. You can also click on this link.

The app will provide alerts from the CDC, travel notices, and answer frequently asked questions. It will also provide alerts and news from local officials pertaining directly to Clarksville and Montgomery County.

“The added COVID-19 feature on the MoCoInfo App provides us with another opportunity to keep citizens informed. I encourage everyone to download the MoCoInfo App to stay up to date with what is happening in Montgomery County,” said Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett.

To receive alerts from the CDC and local officials, you will need to turn on alerts in the settings menu. Please see attached graphic for directions.

New Traffic Pattern at Veteran's Plaza

March 20, 2020 - Sheriff's Office

CLARKSVILLE, TN – Please see the graphics below for the new traffic pattern for visitors to Veteran’s Plaza at 350 Pageant Lane.

The County Health Department is operating a drive-thru testing site for Coronavirus for individuals experiencing fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Follow the signs when you enter the parking lot.

The lobby at the County Clerk’s Office is closed but citizens can still conduct business at the drive-thru window. Follow the signs when you enter the parking lot.

For all other county offices please call the office and/or visit their respective web page at www.mcgtn.org for instructions on how to conduct business.

CoronaVirus Update for Montgomery County

March 19, 2020 - Mayor's Office

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TN – Montgomery County Government is working to provide information from our local health professionals to help disseminate facts about assessment and testing of COVID-19 within our community. There have been many rumors on symptoms, assessments and testing that are not factual.

Based on information from the Montgomery County Health Department and other medical providers people are asking to be tested for COVID-19 who do not exhibit symptoms. If you call your medical provider and mention that you are sick and may need to be tested, they can triage and assess your condition and arrange to do a nasal pharyngeal swab for coronavirus if you have the COVID-19 symptoms, which are: fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Individuals who have the symptoms will be tested for the virus.

“Medical personnel are following the same protocol with testing for COVID-19 they practice with any other sickness – meaning that tests are given based on symptoms. If we swabbed people who are just curious, with no symptoms, that could put undue strain on the health care system, slow the process of getting lab test results and could put people at higher risk,” said Director of Montgomery County Joey Smith.

The County Health Department and other medical facilities are triaging and assessing people who come through the doors but do not conduct nasal swabs for persons who do not exhibit the symptoms. Just like being swabbed for strep throat or streptococcal pharyngitis and having that sent to a lab for testing; local medical providers can provide nose or nasal pharyngeal swabs that are sent out to a lab for COVID-19 testing for those who exhibit the symptoms described by the CDC. Any person who presents the symptoms is asked to self-quarantine until their results are back.

Assessment means that you have been seen and the medical facility has determined that a swab is needed to be sent for testing or that a swab is not needed and there may be another medical issue. Montgomery County Health Department in partnership with Blanchfield Army Community Hospital (BACH), Tennova and Premier Medical Group have conducted more nose swabs for citizens who have a fever, cough and shortness of breath than any other area in the region thus far. Testing began in Montgomery County quickly after the specimen instructions were sent from the Tennessee Department of Health the first week of March 2020.

The number of people testing positive for COVID-19 changes daily and the number of tests being conducted is rising. As of March 19, approximately 6.5% of the swabs tested at the Tennessee State Public Health Laboratory came back positive. As of today, March 19, the number of positive cases for Tennessee is 154, including 1 in Montgomery County.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced this week, that there will be more remote testing sites. The list of sites will be shared on the Montgomery County Government Facebook Page.

Please continue to follow CDC guidelines as we work through this health crisis. Additional information is available at www.tn.gov/governor/covid-19.html and www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov.html.

Emergency Order #1

Pursuant to the authority in TCA 58-8-104, l, Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett, declare a State of Local Emergency granting to the County Mayor certain powers as allowed under TCA 582-110. This declaration gives political subdivisions of government, both City and County, the ability to waive procedures relative to "performance of public works and taking whatever prudent action is necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community."

1. All of the Constitutional Officers and County Department heads controlling or supervising facilities that allow the General Public physical access will be limited, beginning Thursday, March 19, 2020 through Friday, April 3, 2020.
2. County offices will remain open and with limited staff. Certain court functions and filings will still occur; however, there will be limited public access to those buildings consistent with the Order of the Tennessee Supreme Court regarding access to the courts. All County facility doors will be posted with signage indicating the office phone numbers, extensions, website and online services access as well as other pertinent information for the transaction of the public's business by phone, fax, internet, and/or other means that office or department may develop.
3. All county departments have been directed to minimize staffing and create work shifts that will separate supervisors and key department personnel. Shifts will work for one week at a time and the office/facility will be cleaned prior to the next team rotating in. Employees who are sick have been directed to stay home and follow the CDC guidelines in seeking medical attention. A temporary directive of staffing management and directives in the application of sick leave and other benefits is adopted and has been delivered to Human Resources.

This Order shall be effective upon issuance. This the 17th day of March 2020.

See Official Order Here

Montgomery County Government Offers Multiple Online Services

March 16, 2020 - Mayor's Office

Montgomery County, TN — Montgomery County has numerous services available online through multiple departments. Using these online services limits the amount of social contact during the state of emergency our country is experiencing due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

“Montgomery County citizens need to use online services whenever possible to limit the transmission of COVID-19 to the citizens of Montgomery County. We must all do our part to reduce the possibility of transmitting the coronavirus,” stated Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett.

Included in this release, is a list Montgomery County departments that offer services online to the public. All departments and elected official offices can be found by selecting GOV at the top of the Montgomery County Government homepage at https://mcgtn.org/

Archives: Residents can use the Research & Records Requests on the Archives page at https://mcgtn.org/archives

Assessor of Property: https://mcgtn.org/assessor
Data pertaining to real property is available and searchable online. All business with customers will be conducted via phone and email, in-office and remotely. Customers who come into the office will be able to call from the lobby and get their information over the phone. Copies will be sent to the printer in the lobby.

Bi-County: https://mcgtn.org/bi-county
User Fee Payments can be made online and mailed in.

Building & Codes https://mcgtn.org/building-codes
Permits, re-inspection fees, AFT and septic applications can be done online. State Septic Website: https://www.tn.gov/environment/program-areas/wr-water-resources/septic-decentralized-systems/wr-sds-online-application-for-ground-water-protection-services.html.

Circuit Court Clerk: https://mcgtn.org/circuit
Jury duty has been cancelled until further notice. Information on upcoming cases, including delays, can all be found on the circuit court page.

County Clerk Office: https://mcgtn.org/clerk
The County Clerk’s office offers several services online to include online vehicle renewals.

County Trustee: https://mcgtn.org/trustee
Visit the County Trustee to pay taxes and provide a change of address.

Election Commission: https://mcgtn.org/election
Online voter registration can be done at https://ovr.govote.tn.gov/.

Library: https://d6.mcgtn.org/library
See library page for a list of their many online services.

Register of Deeds: https://mcgtn.org/deeds
Basic questions can be answered over the phone. Documents can also be emailed to the public upon request.

Soil Conservation: https://montgomerysoilconservation.com/contact/
Soil Conservation provides conservation program applications, farm planning and technical assistance, technical soils information, reimbursement forms submittal, and program contract processing/payments via phone and online. On-site farm visits are determined individually.

Veterans Service Office (VSO): https://mcgtn.org/vso
VSO advises veterans to call the office at 931-553-5173 to make an appointment. For those who have an appointment, they will screen to see if it is possible to provide the veteran services over the phone.

“Montgomery County Government serves thousands of people every day through the numerous county departments, and will continue to do so. We are asking two things of residents; to use online services when possible and to delay the use of some in-person services where possible in order to lower the risk of COVID-19 to our residents,” said Mayor Durrett.

For the latest info, the Tennessee Department of Health updates all positive cases of coronavirus disease by county (COVID-19) at https://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov.html at 2 p.m. daily. Also, the CDC provides the following information for best practices to avoid COVID-19 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/index.html.

Montgomery County Government Makes Changes Due to Concerns Regarding COVID-19

March 13, 2020 - Mayor's Office

Montgomery County, TN — Some Montgomery County Government Services have been altered in order to minimize the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The changes are due to an order from the Tennessee Supreme Court regarding court proceedings as well as the county’s decision to minimize the number of gatherings through the suspension of county facility rentals, and adjustments to employee practices for greater protection.

Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett has closed the court complex to the public on March 16. 2020. “I realize Monday’s closure will cause an inconvenience for some, but it will allow us to work with multiple departments of county government and our judicial partners to identify efficient ways to meet the requirements of the order. As we move forward, it is our intent to allow for more matters to come before our judicial partners to prevent a major backlog,” stated Mayor Durrett.

The Supreme Court of Tennessee’s decision to suspend all in-person proceedings in all state and local courts in Tennessee, including but not limited to municipal, juvenile, general sessions, trial, and appellate courts, which are suspended from the close of business Friday, March 13, 2020 through Tuesday, March 31, 2020.

Judge Jill Ayers stated, “We are working to avoid the typically packed courtrooms. We want the public to understand that courts will still be open. Everything and anything we can continue to do, within the parameters of what the Tennessee Supreme Court has sent out, we will do.”

Exceptions include proceedings necessary to protect constitutional rights of criminal defendants; civil and criminal jury trials that are in progress as of March 13; proceedings related to relief from abuse, including but not limited to orders of protection; proceedings related to emergency child custody orders; department of Children’s Services emergency related to child protection; proceedings related to petitions for temporary injunctive relief; proceedings related to emergency mental health orders; proceedings related to emergency protection of elderly or vulnerable persons; proceedings directly related to the COVID-19 public health emergency and exceptions as approved by the Chief Justice.

“This is new and it is fluid. We will continue to assess how we can provide services, possibly in a different way, to meet the needs of the public and the court. Any updates on how services are provided will be shared with local media and on social media,” said Judge Ayers.

Furthermore, Montgomery County is suspending future rentals of all facilities where people gather until April 15, 2020. The County will honor deposits for rentals or confirmation for rentals that have been made through Montgomery County Parks and Recreation. However, it has been recommended by health officials that to decrease the spread of COVID-19, gatherings of people should be limited. Based on that information, Montgomery County highly encourages canceling already scheduled events in the parks. Full refunds will be provided for cancellations.

Little League International has recommended that all leagues temporarily suspend activity until April 6, 2020. Montgomery County strongly advises that leagues follow the recommendation and encourages contact with Montgomery County Parks and Recreation.

Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett stated, “Effects from the coronavirus are having an impact on the world. There is no reason to panic, however, it is important that we all do our part to prevent the spread of the virus. A critical point in the prevention of spreading the virus is to ‘flatten the curve,’ to avoid a peak in the number of people who contract the virus. We are taking steps to minimize gatherings of large groups and will continue to do our part to educate ourselves on doing our part to reduce the spread of COVID-19. We encourage everyone to educate themselves on the guidelines set by the CDC at cdc.gov.

In all county departments, employees shall observe rigorous contamination control standards while at work. This includes the use of appropriate cleaners in the workstation, frequent hand washing, use of hand sanitizer, avoiding physical contact with co-workers and customers, and social distancing -- maintaining a buffer of 3-feet of space away from co-workers and customers.

Workplace meetings and employee travel have been minimized. Employees who are ill with a recent onset of lower respiratory symptoms and cough, regardless of whether a fever is present, have been asked to seek medical evaluation and avoid contact with others.

“We are also asking the public to do their part by staying away from public buildings if they are sick. Taking a common-sense approach to staying at home if you are ill, will help us lessen the impacts of COVID-19 in Montgomery County. We appreciate citizens working to help us,” said Mayor Durrett.

The Tennessee Department of Health updates all positive cases of coronavirus disease by county (COVID-19) at https://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov.html at 2 p.m. daily. Also, the CDC provides the following information for best practices to avoid COVID-19 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/workplace-school-and-home-guidance.pdf.

MoCo Virus Control Action Plan

Montgomery County Virus Control Action Plan

Out of an abundance of caution, we have considered these actions necessary to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 virus. These directives deal with how County personnel will continue to provide essential County services, while maximizing the health and safety of our workforce.

GENERAL CONTAMINATION CONTROL

All County employees shall observe rigorous contamination control standards while at work. This includes use of appropriate cleaners in your work station, frequent hand washing, use of hand sanitizer, avoiding physical contact with co-workers and customers, and social distancing -- maintaining a buffer of 3-feet of space away from co-workers and customers.

MEETINGS

Workplace meetings and gatherings should occur only when:

• No satisfactory alternative (video chat, teleconference, etc.) exists to replace meeting in person

• No attendee has fever or lower respiratory symptoms/cough

• The purpose of the meeting is critical to Montgomery County operations

• The meeting is limited to the smallest number of persons essential to the purpose.

TRAVEL

All County-related business travel is cancelled until further notice. Essential business travel may be approved on an individual basis by the County Mayor or the Elected Official of the department. Essential business travel is defined as travel to maintain a certification or professional license.. Business travel should only occur when no other options are available.

Personal travel should occur after exercise of sound common sense judgment.

TIME OFF, WORK-FROM-HOME

• Persons who are ill with recent onset of lower respiratory symptoms and cough, regardless of whether fever is present, should seek medical evaluation and avoid contact with others.

• Such persons should stay home and not report for work, using available sick leave and accrued time off. Persons are required to contact their supervisor immediately and explain their situation.

• If time-off benefits are exhausted, staff should consult with their Elected Officials or Department Heads, along with Human Resources about ways to extend time off benefits, essentially establishing a negative leave balance. The goal is not to create undue economic hardship for an employee who has the virus.

• Elected Officials/Department Heads may designate some staff for remote site or work-from-home duty. The Elected Official should approve this in advance and the approval shall be in writing. Department Heads shall get approval, in writing, from County Mayor/Chief of Staff before approving remote site or work from home duty. Systems of recording time worked and productivity shall be maintained by Elected Officials/Department Heads.

Employees who are sick or have symptoms of COVID-19 virus should utilize their medical provider or the County’s Onsite Clinic as soon as possible. Below are resources and contact information.

BCBS and Other Resources

The County’s health provider BCBS, offers a website with information about the coronavirus and prevention measures. BCBS is expanding access to care during the COVID-19 health risk by waiving employee costs for COVID-19 testing and telehealth consultations.( add website link)

COVID-19 Testing

BCBS will cover FDA-approved COVID-19 testing, as well as tests currently pending FDA approval. BCBS is also waiving employees’ costs for both in-network and out-of-network providers for these tests.

Telehealth Visits

BCBS is offering $0 visits for PhysicianNow® Powered by MDLive visits for employees. This begins immediately and is in effect until April 30. Employees may use PhysicianNow for any service typically offered under their telehealth benefit, not just for COVID-19 concerns.

County employees can use PhysicianNow by logging in to your online account at bcbst.com/member and click Talk with Doctor now (make hyperlink). Or call 1-888-283-6691.

Onsite Health Clinic

You can always contact and schedule an appointment at our Onsite Clinic at 931-906-2001.

Employees are also urged to visit CDC.gov(make hyperlink) for authoritative, helpful and updated information about the COVID-19 Virus.