Dresden, Tenn.–Effective 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, August 11, 2020, all Weakley County citizens, residents, and visitors will be required to wear a mask or face covering in public places. The order, which was issued by County Mayor Jake Bynum, will be in effect until August 29.
The requirement comes as the number of active cases of COVID-19 continues to rise in Weakley County as well as the region. With the approaching reopening of Weakley County Schools and the start of the fall semester of UT Martin, the requirement for individual to wear a face covering is a necessary safety measure for the protection of all Weakley County citizens.
On July 3, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed Executive Order 54 granting county mayors in 89 counties the authority to issue local requirements for citizens to wear face coverings in public places in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 cases, which have significantly risen in recent days and weeks. While not implementing any mass or blanket face covering requirements, Governor Lee continues to encourage every Tennessean to use a face covering or mask, practice social distancing, and wash hands frequently.
The mask requirement decision comes after consultation with elected and appointed officials, healthcare professionals, the Tennessee Department of Health, Governor Lee and members of his administration, and study of data as local active cases continue to climb. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] confirms that wearing a mask or face covering should be required in most circumstances at this time. With all of this information and the public welfare at top of mind, necessary actions must be taken as Weakley County’s active case count continues to trend daily in the wrong direction.
As an elected official, the Weakley County Mayor swore an oath to protect the public welfare. In utilizing every resource to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Weakley Countians will take an active role in halting the current spike in cases that jeopardizes our businesses, schools, government and court operations, and way of life; this simple measure can help citizens protect themselves and each other during these challenging and uncertain times.
For more information, visit weakleycountytn.gov.