GOV. BILL LEE COVID-19 BULLETIN #2

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 18, 2020
CONTACT: Gillum Ferguson
gillum.ferguson@tn.gov
615-253-4516

Gov. Bill Lee COVID-19 Bulletin #2

Today, Governor Bill Lee provided an update on Tennessee’s efforts around COVID-19
relief.
Gov. Lee’s daily press conferences can be viewed live each day this week through
Thursday at 3 p.m. CT here. Gov. Lee has also established a website specific to
COVID-19 updates which can be found here.
Updates & Reminders
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.
o Includes an additional $350 million in the Rainy-Day fund to ensure
Tennessee remains prepared.
o Continues to fully fund obligations such as the BEP, growth in
TennCare and other liabilities.

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• 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
http://www.SBA.gov. Additional information can be found here.
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.
Red Cross blood donation locations can be found here.

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Current Department of Health Testing Results (as of 2 p.m. 3/17)
Testing Location Total COVID-19
Tests Completed

Number Negative Number Positive

TN State Public
Health Laboratory 369 345 24
All other commercial
and private
laboratories

— — 74
Total positives in TN 98

For more information on COVID-19 in Tennessee, please visit the Tennessee
Department of Health’s website here.
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