As Nashville reverts to Phase Two, due to spikes of coronavirus cases, six Nashville restaurants will close completely over the July 4th weekend for deep cleaning, after several employees tested positive for COVID-19. The restaurants, all part of the M Street Entertainment Group, include Virago, Saint Anejo, Moto, Kayne Prime, Whiskey Kitchen and Tavern.
“In light of the spike in local cases of COVID-19, and recent positive tests of team members at Saint Anejo, Kayne Prime, and Virago, we will voluntarily close our M Street restaurants through this weekend,” M Street Entertainment Group said in a statement posted on their Facebook page. “We will reopen next week after all precautionary measures are taken, including deep sanitization of all facilities and additional staff testing.”
The statement went on to say that they have been diligent in taking precautionary measures ever since reopening, and vow to continue to do so moving forward.
“Since reopening in early May, M Street restaurants have sanitized each facility daily and followed the Metro Health Department safety protocol guidelines that include pre-shift temperature checks, 100% employee face coverings, 15-minute interval surface sanitization, single-use items, social distancing promotion, and reduced capacities compliant with the phased re-opening mandates. Any employee experiencing symptoms were ordered to report their condition, stay home from work, and be tested.
“We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause,” the statement concluded. “And although restaurants are not required to communicate positive cases to the public nor temporarily close operations, we believe an abundance of transparency and caution is required during this very challenging time.”
The news comes as restaurants in Music City are forced to return to 50 percent capacity as part of the modified Phase Two, down from Phase Three, which allowed restaurants to open at 75 percent capacity. In addition, downtown bars that get the majority of their revenue from alcohol sales must remain closed for 14 days.
“It’s worth noting that Nashville’s rate of confirmed cases did decline while bars and restaurants operated at 50 percent capacity in May … By observing our public health orders, maintaining a safe social distance from one another, and wearing a face covering whenever possible, we can limit the spread of the disease and help protect each other,” Mayor John Cooper said, as part of a lengthy statement announcing the news.
“Every one of us has an individual and societal responsibility to slow the spread of the coronavirus,” he concluded. It’s up to all of us to stem the tide of this disease so that we can continue our economic recovery while saving lives.”