Governor Bill Lee's COVID-19 April 15th Update

Wednesday Afternoon April 15

School Closure

Gov. Lee has called on schools to remain closed through the end of the school year.Students have lost significant learning time in their classrooms and the administration is committed to continuing to provide resources that keep our students engaged.

Time lost in the classroom also has implications on overall wellbeing, especially for at-risk and vulnerable student populations. Tennessee Department of Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn will convene a COVID-19 Child Wellbeing Task Force to engage communities and provide support for students.

Administration Actions

Expanded Testing Capacity

Gov. Lee has directed the Unified-Command group to rapidly expand Tennessee's COVID-19 testing capacity to enable more Tennesseans to have improved access and make informed health decisions.

The expanded testing effort launches this weekend, April 18-19 with the Tennessee National Guard establishing 15 drive-through testing sites across the state. Drive-through testing sites will also be available during the weekends of April 25-26 and May 2-3. A full list of sites is available here, and additional information is available here.

Tennessee Department of Health nurses and Tennessee National Guard medics will perform tests at these drive-through sites and results are projected to be delivered to participants within 72 hours of testing. In addition to drive-through testing sites, Tennesseans can get a test free of charge, five days a week at every rural county health department in the state.

Every Tennessean who isn't feeling well - even outside of the traditional COVID-19 symptoms of cough, fever or difficulty breathing - should get tested.

Additional resources:

• What to expect after being tested for COVID-19
• What to do if your test results are negative
• What to do after being diagnosed with COVID-19

Monday Afternoon April 13

Stay at Home Order Extension

In cooperation with the guidance from the White House, Tennessee's Stay at Home Order is extended through April 30. The updated executive order is available here.

The Unified Command Group will continue to consult with experts, analyze all available data, and monitor CDC recommendations for the remainder of this month. Beginning in May, a phased reboot of the economy in planned.

Creation of Economic Recovery Group

Gov. Lee announced the development of the Economic Recovery Group to focus on a phased reboot of the state economy. The group will be led by Tourism Commissioner Mark Ezell and will work in coordination with legislative leadership, local mayors, health care professionals, and representatives of impacted industries. The Economic Recovery Group will issue industry-specific guidance so that businesses can be prepared to operate safely and protect their employees and customers.

By formalizing an economic recovery specific group, this will ensure the Unified Command Group will continue their focused efforts of disease management, improving hospital and testing capacity, and increasing our PPE supply chain. The Unified Command Group will also be making recommendations to Gov. Lee about when and how to begin the phased-in reopening of the economy.

Thursday Afternoon April 9

Key Updates

Education - Virtual Learning

The Department of Education has established a partnership with PBS stations across the state to offer 1st through 8th grade students up to 30 hours of instructional lessons a week. This instruction is made possible by Tennessee teachers teaching with Tennessee curriculum. More information, broadcast schedules, student and teacher packets and access to past shows is available here.

The state has also worked to ensure there is support for early literacy through a partnership with an early education app, ReadyRosie, which provides short videos and free resources on topics like literacy and math for Tennessee families with children from birth to 3rd grade. Additional information can be found here.

With the passage of the federal funding through the CARES Act, the Department is preparing to deploy one-time relief funds to school districts as soon as the funding becomes available. Federal funds will support meal preparation and distribution, extended learning opportunities for all students, internet and hardware accessibility, and student needs related to homeless and high mobility populations.

Partnership with Nextdoor

Tennessee is partnering with Nextdoor to provide official, real-time information to Tennesseans about the state's response to COVID-19.

The partnership will allow us to reach thousands of neighborhoods with critical information during this unprecedented time.

All Tennessee neighbors on Nextdoor will automatically receive messages. If you're not on Nextdoor, but interested in joining your Nextdoor neighborhood, you can visit Nextdoor.com to download the free app.

Wednesday Afternoon April 8

Today, Governor Bill Lee provided an update on Tennessee's efforts regarding COVID-19 relief.

Gov. Lee's daily press conferences can be viewed live this week Monday through Thursday at 3 p.m. CDT here. Gov. Lee has also established a website specific to COVID-19 updates which can be found here.

Key Updates

Unemployment Relief

To support the self-employed and ensure they gain access to unemployment benefits during this hard time, The Department of Labor and Workforce Development is currently reprograming Jobs4TN.gov to accommodate the federal program, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and the new $600 weekly federal benefit.

The Department is working diligently to make these changes as quickly as possible so Tennesseans can start receiving both the state and the federal payment.

If you are self-employed or an unemployed worker and you have already submitted a claim, you do not need to reapply. All Tennesseans receiving unemployment or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance will automatically receive the weekly $600 federal benefit, in addition to their unemployment benefit.

Health Care Surge Capacity Staffing

As Tennessee builds surge capacity, one of the most important components is ensuring we have qualified health care workers in the event that COVID-19 cases overload our hospitals.

In March, Gov. Lee issued an executive order to help procure qualified medical personnel. That executive order loosens restrictions around retired medical professionals and temporarily suspsends continuing education requirements for health care workers.

Retired and furloughed health care workers are encouraged to sign up through the Department of Health portal if they are willing to serve. So far, over 800 health care personnel have engaged with us.

Administration Actions

HealthStream

Unified-Command, through their work with Launch Tennessee, has developed a public-private partnership with HealthStream. HealthStream is a publicly traded, Tennessee company that provides education resources for 80% of hospitals in the country.

HealthStream has offered its learning platform, COVID training content, and HealthStream employee support - free to the state - to facilitate the launch of these Alternative Healthcare Facilities for our surge planning.

HealthStream has a tremendous reputation and we believe that their generous offer to make training resources free to the professionals, volunteers, and returning healthcare workers that will be staffing the Alternative Healthcare Facilities is going to ensure high-quality care is delivered.

Abbott COVID-19 Testing

At the end of March, Abbott announced the development of a new rapid COVID-19 test on the ID Now Machine. These rapid, point of care tests show a positive COVID-19 result in as little as 5 minutes and a negative COVID-19 result in about 13 minutes.

The development and implementation of this technology will help states across the country test more people, faster and chip away at the testing backlog. Yesterday, the CDC provided our state health lab with one ID Now machine and 120 initial tests. We are actively working to get more tests and maximize this technology.

In addition to the state lab getting access to rapid, point of care tests, private providers in Tennessee are gaining access to this cutting-edge technology.

American Family Care operates clinics across Middle Tennessee and is deploying the use of ID Now at their clinics and has the capacity to test close to 4,000 Tennesseans. The aggressive efforts of the private sector have helped make our state a leader in testing.

Executive Order 25

Today, Gov. Lee signed Executive Order 25, which extends the postponement of elective medical and dental procedures until April 30, 2020. The order:

• Helps ensure that PPE is preserved, and community spread through close medical interaction is limited during the upcoming weeks in which cases/hospitalizations are expected to increase;
• Expands EO18 to more specifically cover all procedures that are elective and non-urgent and can be delayed until after the Order without risking serious adverse consequences to a patient; and
• Limits attendance at surgeries and invasive procedures to essential personnel to preserve PPE to the greatest extent possible

Tuesday Afternoon April 7

Unemployment Relief/Unemployment for Self-Employed

COVID-19 has caused record spikes in unemployment with the number of initial claims spiking to more than 250,000 in the last three-week period.

In March, at the onset of the pandemic, Gov. Lee directed the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to conduct the following actions to support Tennesseans facing unemployment due to COVID-19, among others:

• Extend unemployment benefits to those who are quarantined by a physician for COVID-19
• Suspend certain regulations to speed up payment time

As the rate of unemployment claims escalates, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development is projected to pay more than 100,000 claims this week. The department is employing additional resources to make this system run more smoothly.

With the passage of the CARES Act, Congress has made more funding available and greater flexibility for Tennesseans during the pandemic. Certain CARES Act provisions are on track to be implemented as early as next week.

Tennessee is also working closely with the federal government to ensure Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation for the self-employed or those who file 1099 forms is available as quickly as possible.

Tennesseans out of work can apply for unemployment benefits at www.Jobs4TN.gov.

Paycheck Protection Program and Support for Small Business

The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. The Small Business Administration will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.

The Program authorized $350 billion in fully forgivable loans to help small businesses maintain payrolls during the coronavirus pandemic. The program went live on April 2, 2020 and is being run through local financial institutions. Additional information can be found here.

Monday Afternoon April 6

Administration Actions

Small and Rural Hospital Grants

Gov Lee. has allocated $10 million in Small and Rural Hospital Readiness Grants to support hospitals that are facing financial strain due to the ongoing response to COVID-19.

For participating hospitals, the grants will serve as a bridge over the coming weeks while elective procedures are suspended and new federal funds are still processing. Applications are live today and can be accessed here along with additional information.

Local Government Grants

Gov. Lee has allocated $200 million in grants to be distributed to every county and city government across Tennessee for one-time, local expenses in fiscal year 2021.

Funding is based on population as published by the US Census Bureau. Each county will receive at least $500,000, and each city or municipality will receive at least $30,000.

The application will be made available by April 30, 2020, and the funds will be made available after July 1, 2020. Additional information is available here.

Care for the Uninsured

Gov. Lee is committed to ensuring all Tennesseans receive the treatment they need for COVID-19. Congress passed and President Trump signed the CARES Act, which provides millions of dollars for treatment of the uninsured. Federal guidance is forthcoming on how funds from the CARES Act will be directed to providers to serve the those without insurance.

The Tennessee Division of TennCare also submitted a waiver to the federal government seeking matching dollars to address the uninsured population.

Friday Afternoon April 3

Administration Actions

Executive Order 24
Gov. Lee signed Executive Order 24 which includes the following provisions:

-Gives Commissioner of Health authority to allow post-degree, pre-licensed mental or behavioral health professionals to treat patients through telemedicine under the supervision of a licensed professional.

-Extends payment due date for the professional privilege tax from June 1 to July 1.

-Suspends until July 1 the April 6 deadline for filing applications for property tax relief and tax freezes, so that elderly and other vulnerable populations will not have to visit public buildings to apply.

-Gives the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development the discretion to require a terminating employer's information faster (within 4 days, rather than 7 days) in the unemployment benefits claims process, in order to speed up processing of benefits.

-Extends price gouging law for another 15-day period (it can only be invoked for 15 days at a time)

-Suspends expiration of marriage licenses, which normally happens within 30 days of obtaining the license if no ceremony is held, between March 12 and May 31 is until June 30, so that those delaying their weddings because of COVID-19 don't have to pay for a new license.

-Suspends due dates for filing statements of interest with Tennessee Ethics Commission and Governor's Office to July 15, so that it is consistent with the federal tax return filing deadline.

-Extends deadline for previously certified law enforcement officers in Tennessee or another state that are beginning work as full-time law enforcement officers to complete certain introductory POST Commission courses.

-Allows motor vehicle dealers to record their interest in financed vehicles with the Secretary of State while county offices are closed.

-Extends due dates for driver license reinstatement installment payments for those on payment plans until June 17.

-Provides flexibility for Tennessee Corrections Institute county jail plans in light of COVID-19 conditions .

- Suspending the requirement that funds provided to the state at walk-in state service locations be deposited within 24 hours if needed to safeguard the health, welfare, and safety of state employees.

Thursday Afternoon April 2

Administration Actions

Executive Order 23 - Requiring Tennesseans to Remain at Home

Gov. Lee signed Executive Order 23 today requiring that Tennesseans stay home unless they are carrying out essential activities as data shows an increase in citizen movement across the state.

Data from the Tennessee Department of Transportation analyzed traffic patterns for March 2020. While safer at home measures and further restrictions on businesses showed a steep drop-off in vehicle movement from March 13-29, data beginning on March 30 indicates travel is trending upwards, again.

The Administration also analyzed data from Unacast to understand cell phone mobility and determine movement trends among people. Unacast indicates the movement of Tennesseans is trending toward pre-COVID-19 levels.

The executive order remains in effect until April 14, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. Additional information is available here.

Surge Capacity

Today, FEMA approved Tennessee's COVID-19 major disaster declaration. This accelerates efforts to work with the US Army Corps of Engineers and expand statewide capacity by an additional 7,000 beds.

The Corps of Engineers is working for FEMA and in partnership with Tennessee in responding to this crisis. Through Tennessee's partnership with the Corps of Engineers, the state is assessing sites across Tennessee to build capacity and create Alternate Healthcare Facilities.

• The Music City Center in downtown Nashville will be transformed into a COVID Positive Non-Acute Alternate Healthcare Facility. It will serve COVID patients who need hospital care but do not require critical care. The current plan for the Music City Center is to provide more than 1600 Patient Care Spaces.
• In Memphis, the Corps will be constructing a COVID positive Non-Acute Alternate Healthcare facility at Gateway Shopping Center. Additional sites in Memphis are being actively assessed to ensure capacity in this hotspot is built up quickly and efficiently.
• The Chattanooga Convention Center and the Knoxville Expo Center will also serve as a COVID positive Non-Acute Alternate Healthcare facilities.

While facilities are a key part of planning for a surge in COVID-19 patients, staffing is also an essential need. All displaced or furloughed health care personnel are urged to register on the Tennessee Department of Health website here.

Wednesday Afternoon April 1

National Child Abuse Prevention Month

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and all Tennesseans are encouraged to be vigilant during this time of seclusion and social distancing and to call the Child Abuse Hotline (1-877-237-0004) if they suspect any incidents of child abuse or neglect. Reports can also be made online at tn.gov/dcs or by using the MyTN app.

The Child Abuse Hotline continues to operate and has never been down during this crisis. The Department of Children's Services hotline staff continue to follow the same protocols to ensure all reports of child abuse and neglect are screened and investigated. Child Protective Services investigators are continuing to conduct in-person visits as well. For more information go here.

Personal Protective Equipment Procurement

Unified Command Group has made significant gains in Tennessee's efforts to secure personal protective equipment for health care workers and critical personnel across the state. More than 18,000,000 PPE items totaling over $45 million have been acquired.

Each of Tennessee's 95 counties has received a shipment of PPE from Unified Command, with the vast majority of supplies continuing to be delivered to rural areas with Unified Command reporting 80-90% of supplies.

Tennessee has also reached a critical threshold with the creation of face shields through 3D printing efforts at higher education institutions - 10,000 face shields have been produced thus far with more on the way.

Surge Planning

Unified Command has worked with the Army Corps of Engineers to ensure Tennessee has thousands of additional hospital beds available should our health care institutions become overwhelmed by a surge in hospitalizations. These back up plans are actively being assessed in major cities in partnership with the Army Corps of Engineers and hospitals.

The state is also placing an urgent call to health care workers who are currently displaced or furloughed. Unified Command is launching a website for those individuals to sign up and be a part of our surge planning. Health care workers of all levels are encouraged to engage.

Administration Actions

Medicaid 1135 Waiver

TennCare has received approval for a 1135 waiver request to address any potential strain on Tennessee's health care safety net and care for the uninsured.

With this waiver, Tennessee will gain several flexibilities targeted toward providers and designed to ensure sufficient health care services are available through this pandemic. Many of these flexibilities will be implemented immediately, with others implemented if and when needed.

For more information on TennCare actions related to COVID-19 go here. For more information on the approval of the 1135 waiver go here.

Tuesday Afternoon March 31

Statewide Safe at Home Order
Tonight at 11:59 p.m. the statewide safer at home order begins which restricts businesses that cannot possibly safely operate during COVID-19. Businesse like barber shops, salons, recreational and entertainment outfits are to remain closed until April 14, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. The order, at the same time, provides for the continuation of essential businesses throughout every county. More information regarding essential businesses is available here. Tennesseans in non-essential roles are urged to stay at home during this time.

PPE Procurement and Distribution

25 companies and universities have made significant donations of personal protective equipment (PPE) to the State of Tennessee to assist health care workers and those on the front lines.

These donations, in conjunction with the aggressive supply procurement of Unified-Command has enabled the administration to connect with all 95 counties, assess needs and mobilize supplies.

Companies and non-profits who are ready to help with supplies and other innovations are urged to contact Launch Tennessee. Since the announcement yesterday, Unified Command's partnership with Launch Tennessee has already netted 100 companies who are willing to get to work in fighting this pandemic.

Data Communication

Unified Command in conjunction with the Department of Health will be releasing three new numbers in the daily reporting: negative results by county, projected number of patients who have recovered from COVID-19 and deaths identified by county. This information is available here.

Administration Actions

Mental Health Support

To serve individuals who need professional behavioral health help during the COVID-19 pandemic, Tennessee's behavioral health providers and the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services have been working closely over recent weeks to ensure seamless delivery of services.

These groups have been working to expand telehealth services, implement daily conference calls to address needs as they arise, and increase collaboration to procure necessary PPE for front-line mental health workers who continue to interface with patients.

The United States Department of Health and Human Services has awarded Tennessee a grant to provide mobile behavioral health care units for rural counties in East and West Tennessee. These mobile units will expand services Tennessee provides through partnerships with non-profits.

Tennessee's front-line crisis services system is well-equipped to meet the needs of Tennesseans. Available resources include a 24-7 crisis phone line (855-CRISIS-1 or 855-274-7471), mobile crisis for both adults and children and youth, crisis walk-in centers, crisis stabilization units, and crisis respite.

To meet the ongoing/non-emergency mental health needs of Tennesseans who are uninsured and have no means to pay, the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and 15 community behavioral health providers offer the Behavioral Health Safety Net which meets the essential mental health needs of Tennesseans 18 years of age and older who are at or below 138% Federal Poverty Level. These vital services are available in all 95 counties.

Monday Afternoon March 30

Executive Order 22 - Statewide Safer at Home Order

Today, Gov. Lee issued Executive Order 22, implementing safer at home guidelines in every Tennessee county to further mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The order goes into effect Tuesday, March 31 at 12:01 a.m. CDT and will extend to April 14, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. CDT. This is not a mandated shelter in place, but instead urges Tennesseans who are in non-essential roles to remain at home.

The executive order restricts businesses that cannot safely operate during COVID-19 including businesses like barber shops, salons, recreational and entertainment outfits. It also provides for the continuation of essential businesses throughout every county to protect the economy.

Unified Command Engaging Entrepreneurs

Unified Command announced a partnership with LaunchTN to work directly with Tennessee businesses and entrepreneurs who are willing to switch production to make lifesaving PPE and medical supplies, as well as other important health care functions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

March 26

COVID-19 Unified Command

On March 23, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee established the COVID-19 Unified Command, a joint effort to be led by Commissioner Stuart McWhorter, to streamline coordination across the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), Tennessee Department of Health and Tennessee Department of Military. This group launched a website today which includes helpful resources, FAQs, and local and global data related to COVID-19.

Public Service Announcement Campaign

Today, the State of Tennessee launched a public service announcement campaign that urges all Tennesseans to adopt preventive health measures to slow the spread of coronavirus. "Do your part, stay apart" features Governor Bill Lee, First Lady Maria Lee and dozens of music artists, athletes and sports organizations who collectively reach millions of Tennesseans. View Governor and First Lady's video here. Additional information can be found here.

Administration Actions

Unemployment

Tennessee is experiencing an unprecedented number of unemployment claims through the Department of Labor & Workforce Development. Since last week, Tennessee has received 39,096 claims and counting compared to 2,702 the week prior, a 1,300% spike in unemployment.

The state is spearheading a public-private partnership with the Tennessee Grocers and Convenience Store Association, Tennessee Retail Association, and Hospitality TN to create the Tennessee Talent Exchange powered by Jobs4TN.gov.

The goal of the exchange is to quickly match Tennesseans who are out of work due to COVID-19 with companies currently experiencing a surge in business and making immediate hires. The Department of Labor & Workforce Development has modified the state's workforce development website to quickly post job openings and match job seekers with employers. Additional information can be found here.

Executive Order 20

Today, Gov. Lee signed Executive Order 20 to ensure Tennessee can further mobilize health care workers to fight COVID-19.

The executive order accomplishes the below actions, among others:

• Loosens restrictions around retired medical professionals to help get qualified individuals back in the workforce.
• Temporarily suspends continuing education requirements so professionals can continue working through the pandemic.
• Calls for the availability of phone assessments for individuals with mental illness or emotional disturbances.
• Expands telemedicine efforts so that all licensed providers may utilize telemedicine during COVID-19 as long as they are practicing within their normal scope of practice.

March 25

Tornado Disaster Recovery

FEMA has approved Tennessee's disaster declaration for the remaining counties. All affected counties are now covered: Benton, Carroll, Davidson, Putnam, Smith and Wilson. Additional information can be found here.

Administration Actions

CDC Funding

The CDC has pledged $10 million for Tennessee's efforts to fight COVID-19. Tennessee has purchased additional testing capacity and supplies per guidance from the CDC.

In looking at the testing response of other states, Tennessee continues to be a proportional leader compared to states much larger in the region.

Child Care and Human Services

The Department of Human Services has deployed on the $10 million emergency response and recovery grants for existing child care facilities. A church, gym, or non-profit can open an emergency temporary child care facility by registering with the Department of Human Services. Additional information can be found here.

Gov. Lee has directed the Department of Human Services to personally reach out to each existing child care facility in the state to help organizations secure supplies.

March 25

National Guard Mobilization

Gov. Lee has mobilized the National Guard to assist with expanded testing efforts. 250 personnel, including 150 medical personnel, are preparing to assist 35 remote assessment facilities in rural areas.

State Employee Workforce

State employees who are currently working from home within the Alternative Workplace Solutions program (AWS) should remain working from home until April 24.

School Closures and Educational Resources

• Gov. Lee extended statewide school closure to April 24, 2020.
• The Department of Education has secured a partnership with PBS to offer instructional content on television while students are at home.

Administration Actions

Franchise & Excise Tax Deadline Extended

The filing deadline for franchise and excise taxes has been delayed until July 15, 2020. Taxpayers will have until July 15 to file returns and make any payments, including quarterly estimated payments, originally due in April. Additional information can be found here.

Real ID and Emissions Testing

• Drivers Services has suspended issuing REAL ID through May 18, 2020 as the federal government waived the deadline for REAL ID.
• Emissions testing requirements have also been waived through May 18, 2020.
• Additional information can be found in the governor's executive order here.

Utilities

The Attorney General, in consultation with the Lee Administration, has filed an emergency petition asking the Tennessee Public Utility Commission to prohibit utilities from disconnecting service for non-payment during the state of emergency. More information can be found here.

Insurance Premiums

Gov. Lee has directed the Department of Commerce and Insurance to issue guidance to insurance providers requesting as much flexibility as possible for employers and individuals during this crisis. Additional information can be found here.

Tuesday March 24
Updates & Reminders

Executive Order 17

Yesterday, Gov. Lee signed Executive Order 17 which called for businesses across the state to utilize alternative business models to protect vulnerable populations while doing everything possible to keep Tennesseans in a financially stable position.

The executive order accomplishes the below actions, among others:

• Prohibits social gatherings of 10 or more people;
• Directs restaurants, bars, and similar food and drink establishments to exclusively offer drive-thru, take-out or delivery options to support families, businesses and the food supply chain;
• Allows for the sale of alcohol by take-out or delivery (with the purchase of food) in closed containers to those who are age 21 and up;
• Directs gyms and fitness/exercise centers or substantially similar facilities to temporarily close and suspend in-person services;
• Restricts visitation to nursing homes, retirement homes, and long-term care or assisted-living facilities to essential care only; and
• Encourages businesses to enact policies that take extra steps to assist vulnerable populations by considering measures such as shopping hours exclusive from the general public.

Administration Actions

COVID-19 Unified Command

Today, Gov. Lee established the COVID-19 Unified Command, a joint effort led by Commissioner Stuart McWhorter to streamline coordination across the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), Tennessee Department of Health and Tennessee Department of Military.

Commissioner McWhorter currently heads the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration and will leave this post to head the COVID-19 Unified Command. Eugene Nubert will serve as acting commissioner of F&A. McWhorter appointed retired Brig. Gen. Scott Brower to serve as chief of staff for the Unified Command.

The COVID-19 Unified Command also includes:

• Patrick Sheehan, TEMA Director
• Dr. Lisa Piercey, Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Health
• Maj. Gen. Jeff Holmes, Adjutant General, Tennessee Department of Military

This group is charged with changing the way Tennessee attacks COVID-19 to simultaneously address health, economic and supply crises. Additional information can be found here.

Personal Protective Equipment

To address one of the greatest challenges during this pandemic, acquiring personal protective equipment (PPE), Tennessee higher education institutions are now utilizing 3D printers to create face shields to be used in conjunction with PPE and to safely extend the life of our supply.

• The institutions will produce between 1500-2000 shields which will be centrally packaged at Austin Peay State University, the campus that originated the prototype.
• After completion, the PPE equipment will be delivered directly to the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency.
• Campuses participating in the initial production of face shields currently includes four Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology and four universities.

Executive Order 18

Today, Gov. Lee signed Executive Order 18 to further efforts in gaining more personal protective equipment. The executive order prohibits hospitals and surgical outpatient facilities from performing elective surgeries and instructs dentists to halt non-emergency dental services. Practitioners are asked to donate their personal protective equipment at their nearest National Guard Armory until April 13.

Monday March 23

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed Executive Order 17 calling for businesses across the state to utilize alternative business models beginning at midnight CDT on Monday, March 23, 2020 until midnight CDT April 6, 2020. The order also outlines ways businesses and citizens should work to protect vulnerable populations.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has created both an economic and a health crisis and our response must continue to address both aspects," said Gov. Lee. "Our goal is to keep the public, especially vulnerable populations, safe while doing everything possible to keep Tennesseans in a financially stable position."

Executive Order 17 prohibits social gatherings of 10 or more people and also enacts the following provisions regarding restaurants, bars, and similar food and drink establishments:

• Establishments are to exclusively offer drive-thru, take-out or delivery options to support families, businesses and the food supply chain during this emergency.
• Establishments may sell alcohol by take-out or delivery (with the purchase of food) in closed containers to those who are age 21 and up.

Gyms and fitness/exercise centers or substantially similar facilities are to temporarily close and suspend in-person services until April 6, 2020. In the interim, these businesses are encouraged to pursue digital programming if possible.

The order also pursues additional measures to keep vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with underlying conditions safe.

• Visitation to nursing homes, retirement homes, and long-term care or assisted-living facilities is now limited to visits involving essential care only.
• Businesses are encouraged to enact policies that take extra steps to assist vulnerable populations by considering measures such as shopping hours exclusive from the general public.

"I urge every Tennessean to take these actions seriously - our physical and economic health depend on this as we work to beat COVID-19," said Lee.

Thursday March 19th
State Employee Workforce

Currently,15,000 state employees are working from home through the state's Alternative Workplace Solutions (AWS) program.

The Department of Human Resources is rapidly acquiring resources to place another 8,400 employees on AWS which will bring the total to more than approximately 23,400 employees.
37% of Tennessee's state employee workforce performs functions that cannot transition to AWS, and we continue to double down on efforts to keep these employees safe at work in the wake of COVID-19.

FY21 Budget Amendment

Today, the Lee Administration presented an amended budget proposal to the General Assembly which can be viewed here. The amended budget comfortably covers the essentials while making appropriate reductions and investing in reserve funds.

The budget amendment has changed to address a lower growth rate of 2.5% for the current year.
Includes an additional $350 million in the Rainy-Day fund to ensure Tennessee remains prepared.
Continues to fully fund obligations such as the BEP, growth in TennCare and other liabilities.
A new $150 million fund for health and safety issues resulting from COVID-19 has also been established.

Grocery & Food Supply Chain

Gov. Lee spoke with the Grocers Association today and confirmed the strength of the supply chain.
Tennesseans should grocery shop as they normally would before the COVID-19 pandemic and should avoid stockpiling or hoarding.
While the food supply chain is strong, Tennessee grocers are in need of additional employees, and those seeking employment are encouraged to apply.

Administration Actions for Targeted Relief
Small Business Support

Submitted request for Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance to the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Once the declaration is made, all Tennessee small businesses and nonprofit organizations that have suffered economic injury as a result of COVID-19 will be eligible to apply for disaster loan assistance of up to $2 million per applicant.
Small businesses who are ready to explore these efforts should visit www.SBA.gov.

Medical Supplies Capacity
The Tennessee Department of Health is working in conjunction with the Tennessee Department of Military and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) to aggressively pursue every available avenue for medical supplies and personal protective equipment.
Today, the Lee Administration authorized the order of an additional 570 ventilators to support Tennessee hospitals that may need additional capacity.
We will also continue to work with FEMA to pursue supply kits that the federal government is making available.
Tennesseans can also help to provide a critical supply need by donating blood.

Wednesday March 18

COVID-19 Testing Sites

Remote assessment sites for COVID-19 are quickly becoming available through the help of private providers. Remote assessment sites, casually referred to as "drive through testing" allow Tennesseans to safely pursue COVID-19 testing without creating unnecessary risks in traditional clinical settings. .

School Closures

On Monday, March 16, Gov. Lee urged school districts across Tennessee to close by Friday, March 20, and all districts have agreed to do so.

Below is Gov. Lee's full statement:

"As the response to COVID-19 evolves, I urge every school district in Tennessee to close as soon as practically possible, with all schools expected to close by Friday, March 20, 2020 at the latest. Schools should remain closed through March 31, 2020 to further mitigate the spread of this infectious disease and we will issue further guidance prior to March 31. Superintendents and local leadership have the full support of my administration to determine effective dates for closure this week as they evaluate what is best for families within their respective districts. We understand the tremendous burden school closure places on families, and we will continue to work with both the federal government and school districts to ensure we continue essential supports like meals for students in need. Every Tennessean has a role to play in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and I urge Tennesseans to be quick to help neighbors as new needs surface with the closure of schools."

Essential Supports for Students Continue Through Closure

The Department of Education applied for and received two nutrition waivers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide School Food Authorities (SFAs) flexibility to continue to provide meals to at-risk students who rely on meals. This will permit eligible districts to serve meals in a flexible delivery model.
Department Actions for Targeted Relief

Child Care Facilities

We are encouraging child care facilities to remain open to continue tomeet growing needs in their communities. Each facility will decide whether to remain open based on the needs in their own community.
Gov. Lee has directed the Department of Human Services to relax the regulatory burden on child care centers.
To support these efforts, the administration is providing $10 million in COVID-19 emergency response and recovery grants to support existing child care facilities that are facing greater needs.
Child care facilities that currently receive subsidies will continue to receive them regardless of a potential loss in the wake of COVID-19 through the end of March.
As Tennesseans step up and consider providing child care for friends and neighbors, please contact the Department of Human Services here for guidance on how to safely accomplish this especially in the wake of COVID-19.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

The Tennessee Department of Human Services has issued a new policy offering emergency cash assistance for those impacted at this time by utilizing Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds.
These funds will be up to $1,000 for a family of 5+ who qualifies and has had a loss of a job as a result of COVID-19.
These efforts will be up and working within one week, and we encourage Tennesseans in need to apply online when the application becomes available.

Expanded Unemployment Relief

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development is actively working with economists to determine how economic downturn could affect our state's economy and how to best use the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund.
The department will extend unemployment benefits to employees who suddenly find themselves out of work as businesses temporarily cease operations during the pandemic.
The department is also extending unemployment benefits to those who are quarantined by a physician for COVID-19 and are temporarily away from their job.
The department is also working with the federal government to gain more flexibility in job search requirements.
The department is suspending certain regulations so those who are approved will get paid more quickly.
Tennesseans are encouraged to apply online

Relief for Local Governments

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed a strain on local governments.
Gov. Lee's amended budget includes $200 million to provide specific support and relief to our county and city governments in the wake of this pandemic.