Governor Bill Lee provided an update Thursday on Tennessee’s efforts regarding COVID-19 relief.
Administration Actions
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.