Tuesday, July 28, 2020
Maryville, Tenn. – Like many other workplaces in our community, the City of Maryville has learned of its first COVID-19 case within the City’s staff. 

The employee had not been at the City since Wednesday, July 22, began exhibiting symptoms over the weekend, was tested Monday and received the positive result today, July 28. The coworkers in contact with this employee have been notified, were sent for testing and are following CDC guidelines for direct exposure.

As numbers in Blount County increase, it is as important as ever that we all take the necessary precautions to slow the spread of the virus. Health department officials and the CDC recommend these basic actions (social distancing, mask wearing, hand washing, and hygiene) to keep this disease from overwhelming our community.
​
For more information, visit our website, the Centers for Disease Control, and the Tennessee Department of Health.

Based on the small group, non-contact recreational guidelines issued by the Governor last week, Parks and Recreation will reopen the Pistol Creek Dog Park and Tennis/ Pickleball Courts on Saturday, May 16.*

Pickleball information: no doubles will be allowed at this time, and only four courts will be available in order to provide the appropriate amount of distancing between players. 

For more information, visit the Parks and Rec website or call 983-9244.

*We apologize for the earlier posting with the incorrect date.

Governor Lee issued Order 35 on May 7 allowing certain small group, non-contact recreation businesses to reopen on May 8. These are described as venues that can achieve appropriate social distancing and operate in groups less than 10. (e.g. bowling alleys, arcades, climbing gyms, water sports, golf course driving ranges, mini-golf, shooting ranges, dance classes, and similar activities.) 
​
Visit this link to see previous updates.
Visit our comprehensive governmental information site with this page listing Governor's Orders and other government releases and announcements.

On May 7, the Governor is expected to issue a new Order allowing for small group, non-contact recreational facilities to reopen. These are described in the Governor's latest news release as venues that can achieve appropriate social distancing and operate in groups less than 10. (e.g. bowling alleys, arcades, climbing gyms, water sports, golf course driving ranges, mini-golf, shooting ranges, dance classes, and similar activities.) 

In addition, new guidelines were released for Manufacturing, Construction, Office, and Lodging.

While the Governor may issue guidance for certain industries and business types, it is still the individual decision of the business to determine the most appropriate and safe way to reopen. Anyone with questions about a particular operation should contact the business directly.

Also, in a statement on May 6, Commissioner Ezell encouraged businesses who wish to purchase touchless thermometers to continue ordering even though the limit has been reached. Orders will be accepted until Friday.

Find previous Tennessee Pledge updates here.
Visit our comprehensive governmental information site with this page listing Governor's Orders and other government releases and announcements.

The water departments of the cities of Alcoa and Maryville and Tuckaleechee and South Blount Utility Districts want to remind its water customers that may have buildings vacated due to COVID-19, that certain procedures should be followed when reopening a vacant building to prevent potential water quality issues.

Measures to combat COVID-19 have resulted in many buildings – such as restaurants, offices, factories and hotels – being unoccupied for extended periods of time. Extended building vacancies have the potential to impact drinking water quality within the premises due to non-use.
  
When water service is returned or when use is restarted in a building after an extended period of non-use, it is important to address the stagnant water in the building’s plumbing to ensure safe drinking water quality is provided.

The CDC has published Guidance for Building Water Systems to help minimize the risk of diseases associated with water that has likely become stagnant in buildings. The guidance recommends an eight-step process before reopening a building, which includes flushing the water system and maintaining the water system.

For more information, contact your local water utility.

Update: 5/1/2020
The Governor's Office has released a document titled "Guidance for Gathering Together in Houses of Worship" available at this link.

Update: 4/30/2020
A new document has been posted on the Governor's Tennessee Pledge site. Access Guidelines for Close Contact Businesses outlines guidance for "close contact personal services" that include "barber shops, hair salons, waxing salons, threading salons, nail salons or spas, spas providing body treatments, body-art facilities or tattoo services, tanning salons, and massage-therapy establishments or massage services." Based on reports from April 29, we expect the Governor may allow these businesses to open on May 6, but this has not been confirmed officially through an Executive Order as of 4/30 at 5 p.m.

Posted: 4/29/2020
Based on the Governor’s April 29 press conference, certain close-contact businesses will be provided guidance that will allow them to open on May 6 in Blount County. The Governor indicated more information will be available from the Economic Recovery Group by the end of this week. When we receive confirmation directly from the Governor’s Office of any new information or Orders that impact citizens and/or businesses within Blount County, we will do our best to pass that information along as soon as possible.
 
The information included in this Advisory is the most currently released information and subject to change as the Governor’s Orders develop.
 
As part of the 89 counties that follow the Governor’s "Tennessee Pledge" plan for reopening, the governments of Blount County, the cities of Maryville, Alcoa, Friendsville and Townsend, and the town of Louisville hope to educate the public on the Governor’s Orders and how they relate to our community compared to the six metro counties – including Knox.   Knox County’s Plan, “A Community Strategy for Phased Reopening” can be found here.
 
We must continue to remain vigilant to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. As we know, it is a highly contagious virus and as we begin to participate in more normal activities, we also must continue to take measures to protect ourselves and others – especially those who are most vulnerable. This remains our individual responsibility to protect our families, friends, neighbors and loved ones.
 
As local government leaders, we are concerned about the confusion caused by how the Governor’s Orders are applied and communicated. As one of 89 counties that must follow the Governor’s Orders, we are subject to laws that are different to our neighboring Knox County which is one of the six metro counties allowed to provide their own plans.
 
The Attorney General provided an Opinion that explains the Governor’s authority in a public health emergency and the inability of local governments (89 counties) to override the Governor’s decisions.  The opinion states, “Regardless of the choice that he might make, political subdivisions may not take any action that undermines the executive orders. Thus, a political subdivision may not take any action that is either more restrictive or less restrictive as to the subjects addressed in the orders. Such action would be at cross purposes with the orders and, therefore, constitute an impermissible legal conflict.” The entire document is available here.

​Listed in the table below and on the official release is the current status of certain businesses as outlined by the Governor's Order. Earlier this evening, the Governor also released Order No. 31 which extends the prohibition of non-emergency dental procedures until May 6.
 
Governor Lee holds live press conferences daily at 4:00 p.m. EST.
​
To keep our community informed, this site has been established for the public to find contact information for local governments, schools and public facilities. News and information will also be distributed through our local media outlets.   

Blount County will be included in the weekend COVID-19 drive-through testing as announced by the Tennessee Department of Health today.

According to their release, the Tennessee Department of Health will offer 16 drive-through events across the state this weekend to make COVID-19 testing available to Tennesseans who are concerned about their health or the health of their family members.

On Saturday, May 2, COVID-19 drive-through testing sites will be open at

William Blount High School
219 County Farm Road, Maryville
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The release further explains that anyone with concerns about their health or the health of a family member is invited to come to one of these events to receive testing for COVID-19. This testing will be provided at no cost to participants, and those who come for testing can remain in their vehicles throughout the process of collecting their samples.

Health department nurses and/or National Guard medics at each site will collect nasal swabs from those who want to be tested. Test results may be available within 72 hours after the samples arrive at the lab, depending on lab volume.

Those who wish to be tested for COVID-19 at these events should be prepared to share their contact information so health department staff members can provide their test results. Everyone who is tested will be contacted about their results, whether they are negative or positive, and given further instructions to protect their health and the health of those around them. Anyone tested at these events should be prepared to isolate themselves at home while awaiting their test results.

Information will be provided at the testing locations on what participants can expect after being tested. This information is also available online.

Governor Lee’s Executive Order 30 Issued April 28 – Guidelines for Reopening (Part 2)
This Order repeals the following Executive Orders: 17, 21, 22, 23, 27, and 29 - extending the closure of certain business types until May 29. However, based on news reports, it is expected the Governor will be releasing additional information soon that may allow for an earlier reopening of certain businesses. We will continue to provide updates as soon as the information is available.
 
Summary
Order No. 30 builds upon the "Tennessee Pledge"  issued April 24.

As previously announced:
Beginning April 27 - Restaurants were able to open at 50% capacity with certain restrictions. Curbside carryout and alcohol carryout/ delivery with food purchase still permitted with certain restrictions. 
Beginning April 29 - Retail establishments were able to open at 50% capacity with certain restrictions.
Beginning May 1 - Exercise Facilities may open with certain restrictions.


Additions in Order No. 30

• The Order urges the public to wear face coverings in public places.
• Social gatherings of ten or more still prohibited
• Places of worship encouraged to remain virtual
• The order still prohibits social gatherings of ten or more through May 29. This includes but is not limited to festivals, fairs, parades, youth and adult sporting events, overnight summer youth camps, and other types of social or recreational assemblies or gatherings.

​
The Order explains that religious services, rites, or gatherings, weddings, and funerals are not social gatherings and nothing in the Order mandates closure of a place of worship or prohibits weddings or funerals as a matter of law. However, places of worship are strongly encouraged to continue to utilize virtual or online services and gatherings. Guidelines are to be issued by the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives regarding in-person services. The Order also strongly encourages public celebration of weddings and funerals be postponed or attended only by close family members.

Nursing homes and similar facilities remain closed to visitors.

Close-contact services that remain closed to the public include:

• Barber shops, hair salons, aesthetician services, nail salons
• Spas providing body treatments
• Body art facilities, tattoo services
• Tanning salons
• Massage therapy establishments or massage therapy services

 
Entertainment, recreational, and certain other gathering venues remain closed to the public and include:

• Bowling alleys
• Arcades
• Concert venues
• Sporting event venues
• Theaters
• Auditoriums
• Performing arts centers, and similar facilities
• Racetracks
• Indoor children’s play areas
• Adult entertainment venues
• Amusement parks
• Senior centers or equivalent facilities
• Roller or ice skating rinks

 
Bars, night clubs, and live performance venues may qualify to serve food to customers seated at tables but must follow ERG guidelines for restaurants.
Non-emergency dental and oral procedures and elective and non-urgent surgical and invasive procedures outlined in Order No. 25 remain effective through April 30, 2020.

Local Authority Information
There are many questions about the confusing nature of the statewide (89 counties) Orders and how they are different to the six "most populous counties" which are Davidson, Sullivan, Hamilton, Madison, Shelby and Knox. These counties have their own locally-run health departments and have authority to implement alternative plans.

Blount County is part of the remaining 89 counties that are governed by the State and the statutes listed here during a pandemic. These counties do not have the authority to implement alternative plans to those issued by the Governor and cannot override decisions made by the Governor.

Updated April 27, 2020

The following is the City of Maryville updated Public Access plan for city facilities.
 
Municipal Building (400 W. Broadway Ave) Public Access 

• Front entrance will be limited to police business and appointments only. Some documents are available in the lobby for pickup. The back entrance of the building will be closed to the public.
• Development Services and Engineering in the Municipal Building will have a drop-off location in the vestibule from the Gary Hensley Drive entrance at the Development Services small door. Applications, permits, plans and other information can be dropped off at this location. No payments will be accepted at this location.
• No utilities, business tax, property tax, development services, engineering and public works transactions or employee applications will be taken in person until further notice. Alternate options are available and can be found here.
• Customers can use the drop box located at the flagpole end of the building to deposit payments.
• Customer Service representatives will be calling customers who have delinquent accounts in order to work with them on a payment plan. 
• Employment applications will be available here. Email, fax, drop off or mail according the instructions on our website.
• For in-person business with the City, individuals should call and, only if urgent, request an in-person meeting. Phone and email correspondence is best.
• Municipal Court is cancelled until June 9.
• A phone will be available at the main desk to reach departments for assistance, however we recommend using your own mobile phone to call.

 
Public Meetings
The May City Council Meeting will be open to the public on May 5 in the Council Chambers. Social distancing and temperature scanning will be implemented.
​
Operation Center (332 Home Avenue) Public Access Restricted
Drop-offs and pickups can be made at the front office vestibule. Appointments will be required for any other business.  

​Animal Shelter
The shelter will remain open for public adoptions but a limit of two visitors will be allowed inside the building at one time.
 
Recycling Centers
In order to assist citizens with their sanitation and cleaning needs, we will continue to operate recycling centers as long as our staffing levels allow.
 
City-managed Park Facilities

• No public gathering in City-managed facilities of more than ten people is allowed.
• Any reservations for gatherings that have been made for the Pavilion or Amphitheater at Jack Green Park are cancelled effective March 23 through May 31, 2020. We will revisit reservation possibilities pending guidance from the Governor.

Parks and Rec Managed Park Facilities

• Parks and Recreation: Playgrounds and outdoor courts remain closed. Signs are posted with closure information. No decision has been made regarding swimming pools at this time.
• Greenway space and other public space will remain open.

Visit the CDC website for protecting yourself and others to learn more about preventing the spread of COVID-19.
 
City Manager Greg McClain stated, “We want to assure our citizens and customers that we will continue delivering the services you rely on. These measures are to help ensure the health and well-being of our community and our staff. You should also know we are here for you and will continue to serve throughout this situation.”

Visit our website for more information about services, contact information, and our current procedures and COVID-19 related updates. We have established this page for intergovernmental resources and information.