Tennessee governor declares that Covid-19 is no longer a health emergency with only 25% of state’s residents fully vaccinated
CNNCNN — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signaled Tuesday that he will not renew any public health orders, saying “Covid-19 is no longer a health emergency in our state,” though only 25% of the state’s population is fully vaccinated. Leetweeted he is removing the authority from local officials to issue mask mandates in Tennessee’s 89 counties that don’t have independent health departments, and he urged officials in the other “Big 6 counties” of Shelby, Madison, Davidson, Hamilton, Knox and Sullivan – which have their own health departments – to remove any and all remaining mask mandates and business restrictions before Memorial Day. Southern states lag other states in vaccinations Lee’s new order contrasts sharply with new guidelines issued Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that say while fully vaccinated people don’t need to wear masks at small outdoor gatherings or when dining outside with friends from multiple households, unvaccinated people should still wear a mask at such gatherings. Video Ad Feedback CDC announces new outdoor mask guidance 02:30 - Source: CDC Even if you’ve been vaccinated, you should avoid large indoor gatherings, the CDC said.