On Friday, August 28, Governor Bill Lee issued Executive Order 59, extending the time frame for local mayors to impose a mask mandate for their counties through September 30, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. CDT.
Respectively, Rutherford County Mayor Bill Ketron has extended the Rutherford County Face Covering Order through September 30, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. CDT.
“During the month of August, we saw the County’s numbers trending downward,” said Mayor Ketron. “In just a short period of time, our recovered cases rose above our number of active cases, a trend that has continued since the end of July. We are no longer third in the state for positive cases. These are all very optimistic indicators.”
Rutherford County's mask order requires a face covering in public places where 6 feet of distance between people cannot be reasonably maintained. It excludes people under the age of 12; people with health conditions that make covering the face unsafe; people who are eating or drinking; and people in a place of worship, among other exemptions. Read the full order here.
Mayor Ketron continued, “We are appreciative of the community’s patience as we navigate this ongoing health situation and strive to make considerate and informed decisions aimed at keeping our citizens and visitors safe and healthy.”
In neighboring Williamson County, Mayor Rogers Anderson decided Saturday to let his local mask mandate expire, although he said people in the county are "strongly encouraged to voluntarily continue to wear face coverings when in public places where social distancing is not achievable."
Testing in Rutherford County
COVID-19 Testing is now being offered Monday – Friday at the Rutherford County Health Department from 8:30 am – 12:00 pm, for free and without restrictions. They are located at 100 West Burton St, in Murfreesboro. For questions about testing, please call 615-898-7880 or 615-849-0347. You can also contact to be connected with other resources and guidance the citizens of Rutherford County should contact the Rutherford County Health Department.
List of Statewide Testing Sites
Free Face Masks from State of Tennessee
Weekdays
The State of Tennessee is providing free and reusable face masks to residents. You can get yours at the Rutherford County Department of Health. Visit them between 8 am and 4:30 pm on Monday – Friday to get your free face mask.
Rutherford County Health Department Website
COVID-19 Bulletin #31 on Issuing of Masks from State of TN
