On Monday March 23rd Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs issued a ” Safer At Home ” Order. The Order takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on March 24th ( midnight tonight). Under the Order the following are deemed Essential Businesses which can continue to operate with certain restrictions in place:
SECTION 4
This Order does not apply to the following sectors and businesses and their employees as essential services to protect the health and well-being of all individuals residing or working in Knox County.
- Federal and state offices and services, and private companies or individuals performing under federal, state, or local government contracts;
- Essential government functions including, but not limited to, law enforcement, public transportation, and businesses that provide government programs and services, including functions assisting economically disadvantaged populations and individuals experiencing homelessness;
- Companies providing media, communication and telecommunication services;
- Grocery and beverage stores, farmers markets, food banks, caterers, convenience stores selling food, agriculture, food manufacturing and processing, feed mills, and other businesses that directly support the food supply, including but not limited to farming, livestock, and food cultivation;
- Health care, mental and behavioral health, biomedical research, laboratory services, and other businesses that directly support the healthcare industry including, but not limited to, health information technology, staffing and supplies;
- Sanitation and waste removal;
- Energy, water, and sewage businesses and services;
- Pharmacies, medical supply, and other businesses that directly support the drug and medical supply pipeline;
- Vehicle fuel, support, and service stations, vehicle parts and repair businesses, and vehicle sales, leasing and rental businesses;
- Banks, savings and loans, insurance companies, accounting businesses, and other business that directly support the insurance and financial services sectors;
- Real property marketing, leasing, purchase, and sale services;
- Legal and judicial services;
- Laundromats, laundry, and cleaning services;
- Home and business structure and equipment repair, hardware, building supply, and appliance sale and repairs;
- Warehousing and storage facilities;
- Construction, architectural, engineering, or surveying services;
- Product logistics, transport, and distribution businesses;
- Parcel transportation and delivery businesses;
- Veterinary and pet supply business and services;
- Home and business cleaning and maintenance services;
- Educational institutions, public and private K-12 schools, private colleges and universities, trade schools, post-secondary, and technical colleges, but only as needed to facilitate online or distance learning and essential functions;
- Landscaping and nurseries;
- Production, distribution, and sale of household consumer goods such as cleaning and personal care products;
- Essential building maintenance and security;
- Individuals whose job functions require them to be at their work location and who are essential to preserving the information systems, accounting, and human resource infrastructures of any business which is otherwise in substantial compliance with this order;
- Nonprofit entities providing support and assistance for the COVID-19 epidemic; and
- Other businesses and services that may be determined are essential for the continued safety and security of Knox County.
Tennessee Employment Law 