Updated 5:40 p.m. March 31
Franklin Mayor Ken Moore announced March 31 the city will extend its ongoing stay-at-home order for at least another seven days.
The move comes after a March 30 announcement from Gov. Bill Lee issuing a statewide safer-at-home order until at least 14 days.
The extended stay-at-home order will go into effect at midnight April1 and will require all non-essential businesses to stay closed and discourages any gatherings larger than 10 people.
“We want people to think of the health of others at this time and maintain physical distancing to stop the spread of COVID-19 and possibly save lives," Moore said in a statement. "The city is appreciative of Governor Lee’s Safer at Home Order issued March 30 and the city of Franklin’s order is consistent with the State’s directives. We continue to urge our citizens to follow the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] guidelines and abide by the city of Franklin’s Stay-at-Home Order. We appreciate your patience as our community works through these unprecedented times together. We are focused on keeping the citizens of Franklin healthy and protected to the best of our ability."
According to an announcement from the city of Franklin, the order is enforceable by the Franklin Police Department, local building officials and the Franklin Fire Marshal.
Original post 12:54 p.m. March 24: City of Franklin issues stay at home order to take effect March 25
Following a declaration of a state of emergency in the city of Franklin on March 20, Mayor Ken Moore announced a “Stay at Home” order on March 24 in order to slow the spread of COVID-19, or coronavirus, in the city.
The order will close all nonessential businesses in the city for seven days beginning at 12:01 a.m. March 25 and require citizens of Franklin to stay home when possible and avoid gathering in groups of more than 10 people for non-essential purposes.
“While this is a difficult and uncertain time, the only way to stop the spread and save lives is to take strong action now,” Moore said. “The safety and health of our community are the city’s top priority and we appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding during this time.”
According to the city’s website, businesses considered to be essential include the following: healthcare operations, grocery and beverage stores, food cultivation (farming livestock and fishing), businesses that provide food and shelter to others, news media services, gas stations, auto-repair and service shops, banks, hardware stores, post offices, laundromats, restaurants providing take-out and delivery options, supply-chain companies, transportation services, home repair and maintenance services, legal and consulting services, childcare facilities, senior care, blood donor operations, hotels, motels, funeral homes, waste removal services and any other service the mayor deems essential.
Essential activities, or activities where one can reasonably leave their home, included the following:
- activities or tasks essential to health and safety
- to obtain necessary supplies for yourself and your household
- to deliver those supplies to others, to engage in outdoor activity (provided you comply with physical distancing requirements)
- to perform work related to essential services
- to perform payroll or critical administrative duties for a business
- to care for a family member or pet belonging to another household
Along with the "Stay at Home" order from the city, Franklin City Hall will limit its hours to Mon.-Fri. from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Bills owed to the city can be paid on through the city's website or by using the payment drop box located by city hall next to the parking garage on Second Avenue. All city services, with the exception of the city's Blue Bin recycling program, continue to be active.
For more information on the stay at home order, visit www.franklintn.gov/stayathome
