TN Gov. Lee signs Executive Order 55, allowing contact sports to resume and extending local authority to issue mask mandate

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has signed Executive Order 55, allowing the resuming of contact sports and confirming that high school sports will have an opportunity to the take the field this fall, provided they follow certain guidelines set out by the state and the TSSAA.

“Athletics is an important part of our way of life and provides many benefits for our student-athletes, but common-sense precautions must be taken to combat COVID-19,” said Gov. Lee. “We have worked directly with the TSSAA to coordinate a framework so that football season and soccer seasons can begin while keeping student-athletes, staff, and fans safe. This order will also continue to give local governments the authority to determine mask requirements for their respective constituencies. Adopting mask requirements at the local level has helped achieve greater community buy-in as Tennesseans adopt a new habit to protect lives and livelihoods”, said Lee.

Included in that order is an extension of a portion of Executive Order 54, allowing localities the authority to require face coverings. The new order also strongly encourages school systems to adopt a mask requirement policy for staff and students.

The entire order can be found here and runs through Aug. 29.