April 10, 2020
For immediate release

Johnson City extends Safer At Home Order

Johnson City's Declaration of Local Emergency and Proclamation of Civil Emergency, which includes the local Safer at Home Order, will be extended through April 19, City Manager Pete Peterson announced Friday. The Order - which closes non-essential businesses, requires CDC social distancing guidelines, and restricts travel - was originally issued March 31 and may be extended in one-week increments as needed. 

“While the number of local cases continues to increase, it is doing so slowly," said City Manager Pete Peterson. "What we are doing is working, and we must stay on course to flatten the curve. We must continue social distancing and limiting our interaction with other people until the data shows it is safe to return to normal activities. Too many sacrifices, both personal and financial, have been made to this point, to relax our efforts before the battle is over."

The Order, similar to one issued by Gov. Bill Lee, requires residents to stay home except for when engaging in essential activities. 

"Obtaining groceries for your family is essential. Obtaining supplies for needed home repairs is essential. We ask that citizens shop for these type items and not just for fun. This is not the time to be complacent. This is a crucial period in our mitigation efforts," Peterson said.

The City has established a Safer at Home "hotline" email for questions: SaferAtHome@johnsoncitytn.org. Staff members are addressing citizen inquiries and concerns as well as assisting businesses in compliance measures. Additionally, a program has been created to work with businesses in their recovery efforts. Business ambassadors are reaching out to assist with unemployment, loan applications, etc. For more business-related information, please visit www.regionahead.com. 

For more information related to COVID-19, please visit www.johnsoncitytn.org/COVID-19.

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