The Shelby County Health Department issued health directive 27 this morning, October 27, 2021, saying a mask is no longer required within the county. The health department said they would still encourage local businesses to force patrons to use them indoors.
However, the directive did not remove the mask burden from students at Shelby County schools where it says mask will still be required. Lakeland schools fall under that order. Mask are not required for students in most areas of Tennessee because most counties, and thus schools, fall under the state health department which currently has no mask mandate.
Over the last two months, Covid-19 cases have fallen dramatically across Tennessee and Shelby County is no longer considered a high transmission area.
The Tennessee legislative session, which came into session today, does have several bills introduced looking to lessen the authority of the Shelby County Health Department.
Read Health Directive 27 Below:
1) Due to the decline in COVID-19 cases reflecting that Shelby County is currently not a high transmission area, it is highly recommended that businesses continue to require masks in indoor, public settings.
2) Masks are still required for indoor school settings with noted exceptions including one for certain teachers to remove their masks for educational purposes.
3) The current status of booster doses (as of October 27) is explained to include anyone 65 and older regardless of whether they have an underlying medical condition.
4) Health Order No. 27 supersedes Health Order No. 26, and it expires on November 30, 2021. Further orders will depend on levels of vaccination rates (such as whether the County has attained a vaccination rate of 70%), vaccine access and eligibility, hospital capacity, and/or cases per 100,0000 residents.
