Rutherford County residents are required to wear a face covering throughout the month of August, according to County Mayor Bill Ketron. But, what happens if you refuse to wear a mask and you don't have underlying health concerns that would prevent you from doing so?

Wearing a mask is an "order" in Rutherford County that is enforceable, according to Murfreesboro Police Chief Michael Bowen. That order was pushed forward by the Governor of Tennessee.   

MPD Lt. Clayton Williams told WGNS that the police department aims to educate the public on the importance of a facial covering as opposed to issuing citations.  



Mayor Ketron stated, “We are continuing to assess the daily data released from the Tennessee Department of Health to assist us with making the best possible decisions for the health of our community. By extending through the end of the month, we will be a few weeks into the school year and will be able to see how that impacts our numbers as well.”

An executive order issued by the Governor allows county mayors in Tennessee to make the requirement of masks. Such orders are not the same as statutes passed by legislatures, but are enforceable as a regular law.