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Restaurants and Bars Must Close Statewide

Miles Kovarik

 

Updated March 22 at 3:00 p.m.

Restaurants, bars and fitness centers across Tennessee must suspend services no later than Monday, as local officials contemplate further restrictions on people's movement. 

State health authorities say there are now more than 500 confirmed cases of coronavirus across the state. 

Under the most recent order from Gov. Bill Lee, restaurants can offer takeout and delivery services, including selling alcohol with the purchase of food. 

“I urge every Tennessean to take these actions seriously - our physical and economic health depend on this as we work to beat COVID-19,” Lee said in a statement. 

The governor is prohibiting all gatherings of 10 or more people and restricting who can enter facilities that house the elderly such as nursing homes. Only those offering "essential care" can visit.  

Lee encouraged grocery and other stores to adopt policies that designate a separate shopping time for the elderly and other populations vulnerable to the coronavirus.  

Several stores including Kroger, Dollar General and Fresh Market, among others, have enacted the practice locally. 

Starting Monday, Krogers in the Mid-South will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m, with the first hour allotted for vulnerable residents. 

This post has been updated with a rising number of reported coronavirus cases