Lee: Dine-in prohibited at restaurants, gyms must close

An order from Tennessee Governor Bill Lee on Sunday prohibits eating inside restaurants and requires gyms and fitness centers to temporarily close.

The executive order is in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The order, Executive Order 17, said restaurants, bars, and similar businesses that serve food and drinks must sell food only through drive-throughs or take-outs, or by delivery.

Businesses may sell alcohol by take-out or delivery when customers buy food. But the alcohol must be in closed containers and served only to customers who are 21 years old or older.

The measures are meant to help families, businesses, and the food supply chain. Lee’s office said.

The order applies to restaurants and bars starting at midnight Central time Monday, March 23, and continuing through midnight April 6.

The temporary closure of gyms and fitness centers, and suspension of in-person services, is also to last until April 6.

“In the interim, these businesses are encouraged to pursue digital programming if possible,” Lee’s office said in a press release.

The governor’s order prohibits social gatherings of 10 or more people.

Under the order, visits to nursing homes, retirement homes, and long-term care or assisted living facilities is limited to only visits that involve essential care.

It’s part of an effort to keep vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with underlying conditions safe, the governor’s office said.

“Businesses are encouraged to enact policies that take extra steps to assist vulnerable populations by considering measures such as shopping hours exclusive from the general public,” his office said.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has created both an economic and a health crisis, and our response must continue to address both aspects,” Lee said. “Our goal is to keep the public, especially vulnerable populations, safe while doing everything possible to keep Tennesseans in a financially stable position.

“I urge every Tennessean to take these actions seriously—our physical and economic health depend on this as we work to beat COVID-19,” Lee said.

More information regarding COVID-19, health resources and support for small business is available here.