NASHVILLE - Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said Thursday he plans to allow restaurants in 89 of Tennessee's 95 counties to open at 50% capacity on Monday, with retail businesses able to open up at half capacity on Wednesday.
The Republican governor said that does not include the state's six largest counties, including Hamilton County, which run their own health departments with their own responses to the COVID-19 global pandemic.
"We've been talking with every one of those mayors in all of the counties that are not included in our 89 counties," Lee said.
He added, "We've actually been very pleased with and working closely with each one of those mayors as they develop their own strategies ... to safely reopen their economies with regard to the guidelines that they will be providing for businesses and the timing."
Lee recently announced he planned to reopen some portions of the state economy, much of which was closed in late March followed by an even stronger stay-at-home order on April 2 in response to caseload projections as well as concerns from Tennessee physicians.
The governor's executive orders shuttered "nonessential businesses" while leaving others deemed essential the ability to continue operating.
With Tennessee numbers of new infections slowing down, Lee recently said he would not renew the stay-at-home order, which expires April 30. Lee has said it is time to begin a cautious, data-driven approach to reopening many types of activity.
Figures released Thursday by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development revealed that almost 15% of all workers in Southeast Tennessee have filed initial claims for jobless benefits in the past four weeks as the shutdown of restaurants, stores and many other businesses continues to cut jobs since stay-at-home orders began in March.
Speaking generally, Lee said, "Some businesses will not be able to open immediately, but we'll be making those decisions" later.
The governor said his administration will be putting out "very specific guidance" for restaurants, shops and other businesses to follow.
For restaurants and shops, that includes temperature checks, masks and social distancing requirements, Lee said, adding, "There will be a number of things you'll see clearly outlined in our plan."
The governor said he wants Tennesseans to feel safe.
"What we're looking at doing is a phased reopening that safely allows our economy to open in steps," Lee said.
Contact Andy Sher at asher@timesfreepress.com. Follow on Twitter @AndySher1.