NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced a statewide "Safer-at-Home" order to close all nonessential businesses.



Read the FULL ORDER here

Lee made the announcement during his daily briefing, saying the order is not a shelter-in-place mandate, but instead strongly urges Tennesseans to stay at home when at all possible.

The order mandates businesses or organizations that do not perform essential services close its public access and are encouraged to use delivery, takeout, online or telephone operations.

Essential activities are defined as things like going to the grocery store, getting medications, providing or facilitating food orders, outdoor activities within the health guidelines and caring for or visiting a family member or friend within the health guidelines.

Essential travel is defined as the following:

Travel related to Essential Activity or otherwise permitted by this Order

Travel related to performing Essential Services

Travel to care for the elderly, minors, dependents, persons with disabilities, or other vulnerable persons

Travel to or from educational institutions for purposes of receiving materials for distance learning, for receiving meals, and any other related services.

Travel to and from outside of the State of Tennessee or

Travel required by law, law enforcement, or court order, including to transport children pursuant to a custody agreement.

Essential Services Include:

Health Care and Public Health Operations

Human Services Operations

Essential Infrastructure Operations

Essential Government Functions

Food and Medicine Stores

Food and Beverage Production and Agriculture

Organizations that Provide Charitable and Social Services

Religious and Ceremonial Functions

Media

Gas Stations and Businesses Needed for Transportation

Financial Institutions and Insurance Entities

Hardware and Supply Stores

Critical Trades

Mail, Post, Shipping, Logistics, Delivery, and Pick-up Services

Educational Institutions

Laundry Services

Restaurants for Off-Premises Consumption

Supplies to Work from Home

Supplies for Essential Businesses and Operations

Transportation

Home-based Care and Services

Residential Facilities and Shelters

Professional Services

Manufacturing, Distribution and Supply Chain for Critical Products and Industries

Hotels and Motels

Funeral Services

The order will go into effect at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday.

This comes after more than 1,500 doctors from across the state signed a letter urging the governor to issue a statewide shelter in place. Statewide, Tennessee has nearly 1,900 confirmed cases and 13 deaths from COVID-19 as of March 30.