Nashville might slowly be moving, again, towards reopening. Mayor John Cooper, who returned the city to a modified Phase 2 ahead of July 4 weekend, later issuing a curfew of 10:00 for restaurants, has made a change to the requirements for Music City.
In a recent press conference, held on Thursday, August 13, Mayor Cooper announced that, beginning on Monday, August 17, restaurants will be allowed to remain open until 10:30. In addition, bars, which were forced to be closed as part of Phase 2, will be allowed to open, with a maximum of 25 people at a time, or those who can be socially-distanced, whichever is less. Masks will be required for everyone standing. The new orders will remain in place at least through August 31.
Retail stores may also now open at 75 percent capacity. Social gatherings are limited to 25 people, while gyms and other high-contact businesses may open at 50 percent capacity. Masks are still required, and live entertainment is also allowed, although dance floors must remain closed.
“Beginning Monday, August 17, we will begin to cautiously adjust the dial of our current public health restrictions to enable more of our small businesses owners to open their doors and get their employees back to work at the data permits,” Mayor Cooper said (via News Channel 5).
Mayor Cooper also shared some of the guidelines on social media, further detailing what is, and is not, allowed.
Starting Monday, August 17, Limited Service Restaurants and Bars may reopen with a max of 25 patrons or however many can be socially distanced – whichever is less. All customers must be seated and bar counters remain closed. pic.twitter.com/WLVdIp0BOv
— John Cooper (@JohnCooper4Nash) August 13, 2020
The mayor also stressed that following the guidelines would move Nashville forward as quickly as possible.
“Adherence to these orders will determine lifting any restrictions moving forward,” he said, adding, “Not wearing a mask keeps people unemployed longer and will cause more businesses to fail. Non-compliance by some punishes the rest of us.”
When Nashville returned to a modified Phase 2, several bar owners, including John Rich, were publicly critical of the plan, which forced them to close, since the majority of their revenue came from alcohol sales.
“Just so I’m clear,” John posted on social media. “1. The virus IS dangerous in a bar that serves food. 2. The virus is NOT dangerous in a restaurant that serves liquor. 3. The virus IS dangerous at a baseball game or in a church building. 4. The virus is NOT dangerous on a packed airplane. Got it.”