Governor Lee Announces Reopening Plan, Local Officials Provide Additional Recommendations

Posted 04-24-20.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has announced his plan for the reopening of portions of the Tennessee economy beginning as early as Monday, April 27 for restaurants and Wednesday, April 30 for retail businesses. The complete plan, including guidelines for retail and restaurant businesses, is available at https://www.tn.gov/governor/covid-19/economic-recovery.html.

“The Governor has provided a way forward for our restaurants and retail businesses to open with certain restrictions,” said Sevierville Mayor Robbie Fox. “We strongly urge our businesses and residents to follow Governor Lee’s guidelines. Social distancing, sanitizing work and public spaces, proper personal hygiene, and wearing cloth masks when appropriate remain just as important today as they were yesterday.”

From the Sevier County mayor and the mayors and city managers of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Pittman Center and Sevierville

In addition to the Tennessee Pledge – Reopening Tennessee Responsibly guidelines released by the state, the cities and county have recommendations. We are doing so because our major industry is tourism and we feel these additional steps will help protect our residents and visitors. The cities and the county are not actively marketing to visitors at this time to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. These additional recommendations are as follows:

Restaurants
Close by 11 p.m.
Bars remain closed
No more than 50% seating capacity
No more than 6 guests per table
Encourage contactless payment
Recommend frequent cleaning and sanitizing of restrooms within the business as set forth by the CDC and Health Dept. guidelines

Retail
Recommend credit card machines be disinfected between each use
When possible, email receipts to customers instead of printing
Recommend frequent cleaning and sanitizing of restrooms within the business as set forth by the CDC and Health Dept. guidelines

Gov. Lee Announces Safer at Home Order Will Expire April 30, Tennessee Begins Phased Reopening Next Week

Posted 04-20-20.

NOTE: The following information was released today from Governor Lee's office.

Nashville, Tenn. -- Today, Governor Bill Lee announced the order for Tennesseans to remain at home will expire April 30, with the vast majority of businesses in 89 counties allowed to re-open on May 1.

Read more: Gov. Lee Announces Safer at...

Sevierville Supports Governor Lee’s Executive Order #27

Posted 04-13-20.

This afternoon, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed Executive Order 27, which extends Executive Orders 17, 21, 22 and 23 requiring all Tennesseans to stay at home unless engaging in essential services or activities, prohibits social gatherings of ten or more persons, and requiring non-essential businesses to remain closed, through April 30, 2020.

Read more: Sevierville Supports...

A Message From Mayor Robbie Fox 04-03-20

Posted 04-03-20.

I want to thank everyone who has been doing their part to follow Governor Lee’s Executive Order #23 regarding “staying at home,” as well as our non-essential businesses that are complying. It is up to all of us to help slow down the spread of COVID-19.

It looks like we will have beautiful weather this weekend, which will cause many of us to want to be outside. If you choose to go outside to enjoy the weather, we ask that you please follow all CDC guidelines regarding your personal safety and the safety and well-being of your fellow residents. Remain at home if you are sick, please practice social distancing at all times, and maintain personal hygiene by washing your hands frequently and using hand sanitizer.

Remember, with your help we will all get through this together. Thank you.