RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam is promising state aid for those left jobless by the coronavirus pandemic.

The governor said 10,000 unemployment claims have been filed since the coronavirus outbreak began.

In response, Northam is waiving the one-week waiting period for filing unemployment claims.

Thousands of workers have already signed up. The state received 2,150 online applications on Tuesday, up from 426 on Monday. The figures do not include applications processed by phone. Last year, the state averaged about 65 claims a day.

Northam is also pledging tax relief for Virginians. Tax filers will be given more time to pay the state. While filing deadlines remain the same, the due date for individual and corporate income tax will now be June 1, 2020. The deadline to file tax sales returns for February 2020 has been extended until April 24. The extension will cost the state about 140 million dollars. The due date for the corporate income level tax has not changed.

The governor is suspending enforcement of vehicle safety inspections for 60 days and suspending visitation to state correctional facilities.

The measures also include changes in Medicaid protections. The plan will ensure current Medicaid members do not inadvertently lose coverage due to lapses in paperwork or a change in circumstances. Medicaid members will also be able to obtain a 90-day supply of many prescriptions, an increase from the current 30-day stipulation. Pre-approval requirements for many critical medical services will be waived and automatic extensions will be granted for those that are already in place. Any Medicaid recipient who is sick may seek medical help without worrying about how they are going to pay for it.