County Mayors Reinstate Mask Mandate Through End Of The Year

Three middle Tennessee county mayors have reinstated mask mandates that will be in place through the end of the year.

Governor Bill Lee previously had extended his executive order that gave county mayors the authority to require masks in public through the end of October. However, he is expected to extend it through the end of the year. The mayors of Williamson, Sumner, and Wilson have chosen to use that authority after previous mandates had expired.

"I appreciate the Governor giving us the tools to address this issue without forcing a one-size-fits-all statewide order," said Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson. "I believe local government is best positioned to make these decisions, even when they are difficult. At the end of the day, I believe this order is in the best interest of our community."

Sumner County Mayor Anthony Holt said, "Businesses need to remain fully operational, citizens need to be able to continue to perform their daily activities, schools need to remain open and our hospitals need to have adequate capacity to treat those that are in need of care."

Mayor Holt said this can be done by following guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, such as frequently washing hands, social distancing and wearing facial coverings.

Wilson County Mayor Randall Hutto spoke with the three city mayors in the county, as well as other local leaders in the area, before ultimately deciding to reinstate the mask mandate.

"Wilson County is made up of extraordinary individuals that put others before themselves in the most difficult of circumstances," said Hutto. "By continuing to use preventative measures, we can slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect one another."

As of October 22, Williamson County has 625 active cases, Sumner has 424, and Wilson has 409, according to the State of Tennessee website.

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