COVID-19 Update | 3-24-2020

TSEA March 24, 2020 Comments Off on COVID-19 Update | 3-24-2020
COVID-19 Update | 3-24-2020

Gov. Bill Lee during today’s (3-24-2020) daily press briefing on COVID-19 announced he was extending the date for state employees to work from home through April 24, 2020.

Gov. Lee originally announced on March 13 that state employees trained and certified within the state’s Alternative Workplace Solutions (AWS) program would work from home through March 31, 2020.

Gov. Lee today also announced an extension of the deadline for schools to remain closed until April 24.

We are in contact with members of the administration and the legislature. As further guidance is issued, we will certainly let you know as soon as we know.

Additional Information:

DOHR is encouraging all employees to work from home if possible, even if they are not experiencing symptoms. If work from home is not possible and the employee has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or quarantined by a health professional, then paid administrative leave should be granted to that employee for up to ten workdays as recommended by that health professional, with the approval of their appointing authority. For employees who are otherwise ill, sick leave should be used.

The State Group Insurance Program has approved waiving all costs for COVID-19 in-network testing and in-network outpatient visits associated with these tests for ALL health plan members – in all plans, and with both carriers: BlueCross BlueShield and Cigna.

You can learn more details here: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/finance/fa-benefits/documents/coronavirus_public_info.pdf


FAQ’s

What if I am not certified to work from home?

At this time, unless you are AWS certified, TSEA recommends employees continue to report to work until told otherwise, or sick. If employees have a condition that places them at high risk, they can use their sick time or ask for an accommodation. Keep in mind, things are changing rapidly every day.


What if I live in a County/City under a Safer at Home order?

The Mayors of several cities in TN have announced “Safer at Home” orders directing all residents of their city and/or county to stay inside their homes, and immediately limit all movement outside of their homes beyond what is absolutely necessary to take care of essential needs. However, Federal and state offices and services are considered essential under these orders and will remain open.

Here are links to some of the FAQs regarding the recent Safer at Home Orders:

Nashville: https://www.asafenashville.org/safer-at-home-order/
Memphis: https://covid19.memphistn.gov/faq-safer-at-home/
Knox County: https://covid.knoxcountytn.gov/safer-at-home.html
Sumner County: https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/wsmv.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/48/24866c70-6d15-11ea-848c-971a2c42a856/5e78cbfad4d76.pdf.pdf


Is the TSEA Office Open?

TSEA remains operational; However, as a result of Nashville’s Safer at Home order, the TSEA office must close its physical location. Staff members will continue to work from alternate worksites and are available by phone and email during normal business hours.

To contact us, you can call the office at 615-256-4533 or 800-251-8732, or you can email the appropriate staff member directly. To view our staff directory, visit the member side of the website here: http://tseaonline.org/member-l…/member-log-in/contact-us-2/.

If you do not have the member password, please email [email protected]. You can also message us through our Facebook page at http://facebook.com/tseaonline.


Are TSEA Chapters still holding meetings?

In order to comply and align with Gov. Lee’s Executive Order #17, TSEA has canceled all in-person chapter meetings through April 15.

TSEA has a free conference call number for any chapter desiring to use it. Conference call access requests must be made through our Membership Manager Lisa Moffett. She can be reached by phone at 423-571-0094 or by email, [email protected]

Gov. Bill Lee on Sunday issued Executive Order 17 prohibiting social gatherings of 10 or more people until midnight CDT April 6.

To view Gov. Lee’s order, click here:
https://www.tn.gov/governor/news/2020/3/22/gov–bill-lee-signs-executive-order-mandating-alternative-business-models-for-restaurants-and-gyms–lifts-alcohol-regulations.html


Other Helpful Links:

State of TN COVID-19 information https://www.tn.gov/governor/covid-19.html

Helpful Coronavirus Links for State and Higher Ed Employees http://tseaonline.org/helpful-coronavirus-links-for-state-and-higher-ed-employees/


Thank you for your patience while we work through this situation and thank you for being a member of TSEA.