(NASHVILLE) Tennessee Governor Bill Lee is in the process of re-starting the local economy, as outlined in the TENNESSEE PLEDGE.

Monday, April 27, 2020, brings phase 1 which allows restaurants to open at 50 percent capacity. On Wednesday, April 29, retailers will be given the green light.

Governor Lee noted that this decision was made based on the number of COVID-19 cases nearing a plateau in the Volunteer State, along with a downward trend of new cases over the past two-weeks.

He described it as "a careful, measured approach."

Unemployment has also become an issue, as 15 percent of this state's workforce applied for help this week. That translates to over 400,000 persons filing for unemployment with a state expense of $5-billion this year.

Some local restaurants and retail businesses are moving ahead with the opening, but some are moving their re-opening to May 1st or later.

Throughout the coming week, WGNS will feature many local business owners who explain their plans.

The success of all of this will be based on the public continuing to (1) practice social distancing, (2) covering your cough, (3) washing hands regularly with soap, and (4) avoiding crowds.

Remember, there is still no vaccination against COVID-19, and these health practices have proven to be the best methods of reducing the spread of this virus.