This story was updated March 16, at 4:20 p.m.
Gov. Bill Lee wants all Tennessee schools closed by Friday and to remain shut down until March 31, one of the strongest urgings the governor has made to date as coronavirus continues to spread across the state.
"Superintendents and local leadership have the full support of my administration to determine effective dates for closure this week as they evaluate what's best for families within their respective districts," Lee said in a statement, instructing them to "close as soon as practically possible."
Gov. Lee declared a state of emergency on Thursday. On Monday afternoon he said the state legislature would go into recess after it passed a budget and "any associated actions that will ensure Tennessee can keep its doors open."
"Our approach will take into account the unique public health challenges this complex virus presents, as well as the economic disruption likely to occur as a result of its spread," the governor said in a joint statement along with Lt. Gov. Randy McNally and House Speaker Cameron Sexton.
Also on Thursday, Shelby County Schools (SCS) announced they were shuttering for an additional week after spring break, which starts today.
The county's munciple school districts—Arlington, Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown, Lakeland and Millington—followed suit Friday.
SCS will distribute lunches to students March 23-27 at 20 locations in an effort to keep students who come from food insecure homes fed during the closure.
The state has not announced any specific plan to address issues related to food insecurity during this pandemic, but the governor said in his most recent statement, "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."
As of late Monday afternoon, Tennessee had 52 confirmed cases of coronavirus, including two in Shelby County.
This story has been updated to reflect the governor's announcement regarding the state legislature and the number of confirmed cases in the state.