Paris, Tenn.–In compliance with Governor Bill Lee’s executive order limiting public gatherings over 10 people, Henry County Mayor John Penn Ridgeway has announced that tonight’s Henry County Commission meeting will be conducted remotely.
Mayor Ridgeway said, “ In support of Governor Lee’s Executive Order 70 to limit social gatherings, I am asking County Commissioners and any persons planning to attend Mondays County Commission meeting to participate by calling in remotely from home. The meeting will be held at the County Emergency Management Center on Brewer St beginning at 5 PM and will be recorded for anyone wishing to listen later. This will allow our staff to social distance and the commissioners and general public to remain safe as possible during this serious surge. The call in number will be available from the mayors office Monday by calling 731-642-5213.”
Sunday evening Governor Bill Lee issued an executive order to limit social gatherings to ten persons or less, limited attendance of school sports, and asked employers to allow employees to work from home where possible.
This is due to the surge in COVID-19 positive cases within the state over the weekend. The State of Tennessee is number one in the nation for highest spread rate per 100,000 persons.
Since Friday the Tennessee Department of Health has reported 26,457 new positive cases in the state. The state’s seven day daily new positive case average stands at 9,340 cases. Hospitals are at capacities at many locations across the state due to a surge in COVID inpatients and staffing shortages, according to Henry County Emergency Management Director Ron Watkins.
Places of worship, weddings, and funerals do not qualify as “social gatherings” however, these places of gathering are asked to follow strict health protocols or limit gatherings to less than ten persons, Watkins said.
As previously reported, Henry County Mayor John Penn Ridgeway extended the county masking requirement for another seven days through December 29th on Friday.