News Flash

Mt. Juliet, Tenn. - In response to COVID-19, the City of Mt. Juliet is strongly urging the community to follow the Governor’s Executive Orders and Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) guidelines. With the primary concern for the health, safety, and welfare of the Mt. Juliet community, city leaders are ensuring the COVID-19 crisis receives the attention of all necessary city resources.

City leadership, along with the Mayor, Vice-Mayor, and all Board of Commissioners, continue to communicate and evaluate the uncertain and developing COVID-19 situation to see if further actions should be taken. Concurrently, the city will monitor the compliance of Governor Bill Lee’s Executive Order 17 throughout the community.

Executive Order 17 prohibits social gatherings of 10 or more people and also enacts the following provisions regarding restaurants, bars, and similar food and drink establishments:

• Establishments are to exclusively offer drive-thru, take-out, or delivery options to support families, businesses, and the food supply chain during this emergency.
• Establishments may sell alcohol by take-out or delivery (with the purchase of food) in closed containers to those who are age 21 and up.

Gyms and fitness/exercise centers or substantially similar facilities are to temporarily close and suspend in-person services until April 6, 2020. In the interim, these businesses are encouraged to pursue digital programming if possible. The order also pursues additional measures to keep vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with underlying conditions safe. 

• Visitation to nursing homes, retirement homes, and long-term care or assisted-living facilities is now limited to visits involving essential care only.
• 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.

 Additional orders can be found here: Executive Orders Governor Bill Lee

“We are grateful that Governor Lee issued this order, so we can continue to fight the spread of the virus- as one community, together,” stated City Manager Kenny Martin. “It is still important that we continue to support Mt. Juliet restaurant businesses and their employees, and there are many ways to do so. Please consider utilizing take-out for meals or purchasing gift cards to use later. Also, ensure neighbors, family, and friends are taken care of during this time- check on them or take them meals.”

Those returning from vacations or Spring Break are encouraged to self-isolate and use physical distancing for at least 14 days, especially anyone who was in large crowds, flying, or on a cruise ship.

All community members are strongly encouraged to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and follow the guidance issued by the CDC, which will ensure hospitals are not overwhelmed.

“I ask that everyone continue to love and respect your neighbor, which we did so great and continue to do in our response to the tornado,” stated Mayor Ed Hagerty. “This is a new challenge, but a challenge that we will overcome. While we must physically distance ourselves, please continue to check on your neighbors, friends, and family to ensure everyone is taken care of.”

The city is approaching this with a united front, in partnership with the Board of Commissioners, City Manager, and City Leadership Team. Together, they will monitor the needs of our community, while ensuring the health and safety of our community remains a priority.

Stay informed and up to date with information directly from the CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html), the Tennessee Department of Health (https://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov.html), and Wilson County Emergency Management Agency’s (https://www.wilsonema.com/covid19/) websites.

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