A state of emergency was declared in Wilson County on Wednesday because of a recent increase in COVID-19 cases and deaths.
The declaration also "strongly encourages" residents to wear masks when in public, according to a statement from Wilson County Mayor Randall Hutto.
Hutto's initial statement said wearing masks in public would be a requirement.
"We want people to stay safe as they resume activities," Hutto said Wednesday morning. "We are requiring people to wear masks when out in public. We ask all businesses to take this very seriously to keep their customers and staff safe by reconsidering the number of people in the area and by requiring masks in stores and businesses."
But early Wednesday afternoon, Hutto's office said a requirement to wear masks cannot be enforced and that no arrests would be made for not wearing a mask.
"We want to emphasize to take all precautions," Hutto said.
Wilson County's last state of emergency went through May 18 before it expired, according to the mayor's office. Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey identified Wilson County as a hot spot Tuesday because of the county's recent uptick in COVID-19 transmissions.
The county had 649 confirmed or probable COVID-19 cases as of Tuesday, according to the state.
► Coronavirus in Tennessee: Get the latest updates
The number of new COVID-19 cases in Wilson County had gone up seven straight days through Tuesday, according to the mayor's office.
The average number of new cases per day during that time was 11.4. On June 1 the average number of new cases per day was 6.9, the mayor's office stated.
Wilson County had eight deaths related to COVID-19 on May 12, and then 25 straight days without a fatality reported. That number has now increased to 15 deaths through Tuesday, according to the mayor's office.
Masks are available at the Wilson County Health Department, 927 E. Baddour Parkway in Lebanon.
Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on Twitter @ AndyHumbles.
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Wilson County 'strongly encourages' masks in public; coronavirus emergency declared again - Tennessean
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