Main Street Clarksville
CLARKSVILLE WEATHER
physicians-mutual-dental-insurance-banners

Montgomery County Mayor signs mandatory face mask order for businesses




Jim Durrett SUBMITTED

Jim Durrett SUBMITTED

Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett signed an executive order requiring employees of businesses that are open to the public to have all of their employees wear masks.

The order is not an across-the-board mask requirement to all residents, but just businesses and their workers who greet the public.

The mandate for businesses in Montgomery County to wear masks will go into effect at 12:01 a.m., on Wednesday, July 8 and end July 15 with an expectation to extend the order at least another seven days through July 22.

On that date, authorities will evaluate whether to extend the order, which is effective for seven days.

The city of Clarksville is expected to make a similar move tomorrow, following the lead of Gov. Bill Lee, who, on Friday, July 3 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.

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. 

Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett issued Emergency Order No. 9.Jim Durrett

Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett issued Emergency Order No. 9.Jim Durrett

On Monday, July 6, Durrett met with Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts and their chiefs of staff, Montgomery County Health Department Director Joey Smith and Director of Medical Services Jimmie Edwards to discuss the possibility of mask requirements.

Durrett said based on data, the group realized cases are rising at a level he felt is uncomfortable.

“We know there is a lag in receiving testing data as more people are being testing,” Durrett said. “We must be proactive.”

In a release from the county mayor’s office, Durrett said in addition to requiring employees of businesses to wear masks, people in other areas are being strongly encouraged to wear them.

“We are strongly encouraging all businesses to require patrons to wear a mask when visiting their business,” Durrett said. “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.”

Durrett said the precautions are necessary in order to once again enjoy every day activities that are now limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Like many of you, I want to see our kids back in school,” Durrett said. “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.”

Durrett said he feels it boils down to the young adults and children of this community having the opportunity to grow and prosper as others have and 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,” Durrett said. “We must all remember – it’s not about me, it’s about we!” 

Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts said the city council will meet on Tuesday, July 7 to consider a resolution in support of the order.

“It is imperative we continue to work together to keep our citizens safe,” Pitts said.   

The numbers of people testing continue to increase in Montgomery County, which means there are hundreds of tests from people in the county still waiting for results, according to Joey Smith, the county’s health department director.

Smith said the data will continue to be reviewed by local leaders and health officials who will follow the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Leave a Reply