Governor Bill Lee urging schools statewide to close by Friday, remain closed for the rest of the month

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee is urging schools across the state to close by Friday to try and help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

In a statement released Monday morning, Lee is urging all districts close by Friday and remain closed until the end of the month. Governor Lee says he is giving superintendents and local leadership full authority to decide on what day to effectively close this week that best benefits families.

Virginia schools were ordered closed by Governor Ralph Northam last Friday for at least two weeks.

Below is the official statement from the Governor’s Office:

“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.”