Sevier County Mayor Extends Mask Mandate to Slow Spread of COVID-19

Sevier County residents, employees and visitors are required for a while longer to wear a face covering in public after Mayor Larry Waters extended the mask mandate on Monday.

Waters signed Executive Order 29, with support from city leaders, requiring that face coverings be worn in public through August 29 to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19. It is an extension of Executive Order 23, which he signed on July 7. Read the original mask mandate here.

“I am extending the mask mandate for the health and safety of the residents, employees, and visitors of Sevier County,” said Waters. “We are still collecting data from the tests performed during the original mandate, and I do not feel that we have enough information to end the order. The Sevier County School Administration also believes extending the mandate would be beneficial with regards to opening school later this month.

“We’ve heard a variety of opinions, including those of the city leaders, health care providers, local businesses, and tourism officials regarding wearing a mask. The majority of the people we’ve spoken to are in favor of continuing the mandate,” continued Waters. “The wearing of masks is a temporary inconvenience that I believe will help slow the transmission of COVID-19.”

On August 3, 2020, Sevier County had 631 active cases of COVID-19 among county residents, bringing the total number of cases to 1713. Five residents died as a result of COVID-19 and 55 have been hospitalized.

EXECUTIVE ORDER No. 29

By: Mayor Larry Waters

Extension of Face Covering Requirement

WHEREAS, Executive Order 23 by Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters declared that face coverings shall be mandatory within Sevier County with noted exceptions until 11:59 PM Monday, August 3, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Governor Bill Lee extended the ability for local county mayors to issue a mask mandate through 11:59 PM on August 29, 2020; and

WHEREAS, the State of Tennessee Department of Health indicated the need for additional time to establish data on the effectiveness of a mask mandate on controlling the spread ofCOVID-19 within Sevier County.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters do declare that Executive Order 23 dated July 7, 2020 and corresponding further clarifications shall continue and be in effect until 11 :59 PM on August 29, 2020.

SO ORDERED this 3rd day of August, 2020.

Honorable Larry Waters
Mayor, Sevier County