Construction Law

What Contractors in Nashville Need to Know About Their City and State’s Stay-At-Home Orders featured image

What Contractors in Nashville Need to Know About Their City and State’s Stay-At-Home Orders

As we reach the end of April, contractors operating out of Tennessee are wondering how much longer the various stay-at-home orders throughout the state will remain in effect. Just this past week Gov. Bill Lee announced that he will not be extending Tennessee’s stay-at-home order beyond April 30. And while that’s a relief for nonessential business owners, it’s left many contractors wondering what rules will still need to be followed, especially in cities and counties where local lawmakers have final say on when restrictions can be eased. 

In this article, attorneys with our Nashville construction law firm will be taking a look at Tennessee and Nashville’s respective stay-at-home orders. Although we may soon see these orders eased throughout the state, construction companies must nonetheless abide by rules and regulations designed to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), especially those that pertain to social distancing. 

Tennessee to Reopen Businesses 

During a Monday afternoon briefing, Gov. Lee stated, “For the good of our state, social distancing must continue, but our economic shutdown cannot.” Businesses in Tennessee may begin opening as early as April 27. However, this go-ahead does not extend to many of Tennessee’s largest cities, including Nashville, that have their own health departments. 

Related: 50 State Essential Business Analysis

Davidson County’s Safer at Home Order 

In Nashville and throughout Tennessee, construction is seen as an essential service. If you’re reading this, it means that your business has likely been able to continue operating under certain restrictions. Specifically, Nashville and Davidson County contractors must abide by the Safer at Home order released by the Metro Public Health Department. This order was recently revised to include stricter requirements for construction, architectural, engineering, and surveying services. 

Under Nashville’s Safer at Home Order, construction sites are required to:

  • Have no more than two people in an elevator at any given time
  • Have sanitation stations available on all floors where work is being performed
  • Observe social distancing to the maximum extent possible

In addition to the above requirements, contractors must continue to abide by standards set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). For help complying with local, state, and federal laws, we recommend our COVID-19 Protection Kit, which includes a jobsite preparedness and response plan. For any additional questions, please consult a COVID-19 construction lawyer with Cotney Attorneys & Consultants. 

Related: 4 Questions Contractors Have During Uncertain Times

Don’t Let Your Guard Down 

Although local lawmakers are beginning to ease stay-at-home orders, now is not the time to let your guard down. Nashville contractors must still abide by their county’s Safer at Home order and provide their workers with a safe, hazard-free work environment. New cases of COVID-19 are still being reported daily. For the foreseeable future, you will have to cope with the legal minefield that COVID-19 has created. Please contact our Nashville construction law firm if you ever need assistance. Our team is here to help you keep your jobsite safe and your business running. 

If you would like to speak with a COVID-19 construction attorney, please contact us today.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.