Health Department revises Health Directive No. 21 clarifying mask usage

By Diana Fedinec

Shelby County Health Department revised Health Directive No. 21 on May 15 clarifying mask usage and changing the eligibility for children age 12 and older to receive the Pfizer vaccine.

The updated ordinance lifts the mask mandate with a few exceptions. Fully vaccinated people are released from wearing a mask or socially distancing except where required by federal, state, local or tribal laws. Mask wearing will be required of anyone using public transportation; who is regularly exposed to infected or unvaccinated people; and entering a business, restaurant or establishment that requires a mask and has a sign posted to that effect.

For persons 18 years of age or younger, a parent or guardian must be present for the vaccination, show proof of ID and complete and sign a consent form on-site.

The following is a summary of changes to Health Directive No. 21.

• Replaces Face Mask Directive No. 5 upon Health Directive 21’s effective date (May 15, 2021), resulting in one consolidated document for COVID-related information;
• Provides guidance on when masks must not be worn, when they must be worn, and when they are highly recommended;
• Requires masks for certain employees who work in environments where there is an increased risk of exposure;
• Requires businesses, school authorities, and public authorities that require masks to post proper notice signs are posted at frequently used entrances;
• Greatly reduces the number of mandatory restrictions in favor of highly recommended guidance;
• Allows event planners for large-scale festivals, fairs, parades, sporting events, and community events to seek the Department’s technical assistance for their event plan(s);
• Allows schools to seek the Department’s technical assistance for their physical locations.

Read the detailed list of circumstances where masks are required on the Health Department’s website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) preventive measures on testing and reporting a positive case of Covid-19 and how to isolate and quarantine remain unchanged.

For information about the Coronavirus, visit the CDC website.

All Southwest students, employees and visitors who test positive for COVID-19 are encouraged to self-report online on the coronavirus section of the Southwest website. The form only takes a few minutes to complete and all information will be kept strictly confidential.

Please review the College's infectious disease policy and stay tuned for updates via email and on the College’s coronavirus website at www.southwest.tn.edu/coronavirus