Nashville Mayor John Cooper announced on Thursday, July 2, that the city would revert to what is being called “Phase 2 with modifications” for the July 4th weekend, meaning that bars would be closed, and the fireworks, which were going to be displayed for viewers to watch online, would be canceled. The decision came in light of a recent spike of new cases of coronavirus.
“The modified plan is tailored on what we’ve learned through contact tracing investigations over the past several weeks. It is in response to a sharp recent case increases and clustering of cases,” the mayor said in a press conference (via WSMV). “Four of our six health metrics for Reopening Nashville are green. Our transmission rate is yellow, between 1.03 to 1.16, but our 14-day rolling daily case average is red.”
“It is clear that adding any public health risk is inappropriate for Nashville at this time,” he added. “So, we’ve directed the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation to cancel its fireworks display on Saturday evening.”
As part of the modified Phase 2, social gatherings are to be limited to 25 people. Restaurants will return from 75 percent capacity to 50 percent. All bars in Davidson County that get the majority of their revenue from alcohol sales are forced to close for 14 days.
Metro parks and pools will remain open, and recreational leagues are permitted to continue. Live entertainment is allowed, but dance floors need to remain closed. Masks or face coverings are required in all public places.
“New cases are rising in 36 states – unfortunately, including here in Tennessee,” he continued. “We stated at the outset of our phased economic reopening, a spike in cases would result in the public health decision to impose more restrictions on our reopening, and we are. In this modified next phase, many socially-driven businesses and activities that opened in Phase Three will be temporarily closed, including event venues and entertainment venues.”
Mayor Cooper also defended his decision, in light of the recent spike of COVID-19 cases.
“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,” the mayor explained.
“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.”