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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s COVID-19 Unified Command announced the following actions taken for a COVID-19 outbreak at the Gallatin Center for Rehabilitation and Healing. Unified Command is a joint operation between the Tennessee Department of Health, Tennessee Department of Military and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency.

NASHVILLE – The state of Tennessee, in partnership with the Tennessee Grocer and Convenience Store Association, Tennessee Retail Association, and Hospitality TN, has formed the Tennessee Talent Exchange powered by Jobs4TN.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry is closing the campsites at Prentice Cooper and Franklin State Forests until further notice. A surge in the number of campers is creating safety and health concerns for the public and forestry staff.

I write to you at a time of great challenge for our state and local communities. Countless individuals have contacted me to express feelings of fear, anxiety, and stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. While we do not possess all the answers about the COVID-19 crisis, I am writing to offer suggestions that I hope will be instructive and empowering in the midst of such uncertainty. Pat Summitt, the acclaimed Lady Volunteers coach, would no doubt give us a legendary pep talk if alive today. That pep talk might start with a quote of hers: "Attitude is a choice. Think positive thoughts daily. Believe in yourself."

NASHVILLE – In an effort to aid Tennessee consumers, business owners and employees affected by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) requests that licensed insurance companies in Tennessee work with restaurants and employees to ensure that restaurant employees now engaged in delivering food options during the pandemic are fully insured either under their personal automobile policy or via a restaurant’s commercial automobile policy.

Regional Unemployment Claim numbers as of March 21, 2020

NASHVILLE – Unemployment rates are a lagging measure and for the month of February remained relatively unaffected by the COVID-19 public health emergency. Tennessee’s statewide unemployment rate for February 2020 experienced a slight increase according to newly released data from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

NASHVILLE – The state of Tennessee experienced an unprecedented spike in new initial unemployment claims according to data released the morning by this United States Department of Labor.

The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) is receiving almost $500,000 from the federal government to support the mental health needs of survivors of recent tornados.

The State of Tennessee today launches a public service announcement campaign that urges all Tennesseans to adopt preventive health measures to slow the spread of coronavirus.

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOSHS) continues to monitor the COVID-19 outbreak closely. At this time, State Driver Services Centers remain open and the Department is currently taking precautions to protect the health and safety of our employees and customers.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is making essential financial resources available to families that have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 emergency. Beginning 10 A.M. CST Thursday, March 26, families can begin applying, online, for up to two months of emergency cash assistance if they were employed as of March 11, 2020 and they’ve lost employment or at least 50% of their earned income as a result of the pandemic.

The commissioners of Tennessee’s Departments of Children’s Services (DCS) and Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) are asking for individuals who are students who have earned or are pursuing a master’s degree or are retired from counseling, clinical therapy, social work, and related fields to consider joining the workforce in the event there are workforce needs caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Nashville, TN—The Tennessee Department of Education secured a partnership with the state’s PBS stations to deliver daily instructional content for Tennessee students during COVID-19 school closures. This partnership will provide all students with access to daily learning opportunities right in their own homes. Staring April 6, Tennessee’s six PBS stations— WNPT Nashville, East Tennessee PBS, WCTE Upper Cumberland, WKNO Memphis, West TN PBS, and Chattanooga WTCI— will deliver two hours of programming with high-quality instructional content from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. CST. Four hours of content will also be streamed overnight, which viewers can watch live or record.

NASHVILLE, TN – Today, Commissioner Penny Schwinn released the following statement on Governor Bill Lee’s announcement recommending school districts remain closed through April 24: “This is an unprecedented time for our country and state and we thank Governor Lee for his leadership in protecting the health and wellbeing of Tennessee's students and teachers. We know school closures represent a significant disruption for families and students and the recommendation to extend them has not been considered lightly.” “The Department of Education team will continue to work closely with our districts as they serve students and families during this time. We are committed to doing whatever we can to support our district leaders as they make the necessary decisions to ensure students can continue to access critical meal and other services, as well as receive high-quality academic instruction while they are out of school.”