Tennessee counties mandate masks after Lee's executive order allowing it

While county mayors across Tennessee have ordered or are considering local mask mandates to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in light of Gov. Bill Lee’s executive order, Rutherford County has declined issuing a mandate.

Rutherford County Mayor Bill Ketron said Monday he strongly encourages, but will not require, the use of masks throughout the county. Rutherford County has the third-highest coronavirus case count, behind Davidson and Shelby counties. According to the Tennessee Department of Health, the county has confirmed 2,987 cases, or 0.89 percent of the county’s population.