NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Nashville will slowly begin reopening its economy Monday amid the coronavirus pandemic, officials said Thursday.
Nashville’s first of four reopening phases will allow 50% capacity at dine-in restaurants, bars serving food, retail stores and commercial businesses. Workers will be required to undergo daily screenings and wear face masks.
Bar areas will stay closed and live music will remain banned.
The first phase also continues to restrict gatherings to 10 or fewer people and calls for wearing masks in public.
Officials acknowledged that Nashville’s trend in new cases is still increasing, noting clusters at homeless shelters and a meatpacking facility.
To advance to the next phase, Nashville officials want to see two weeks of appropriate health metrics.
Nashville-Davidson County and five other counties were allowed to reopen more slowly than the rest of the state, which started by allowing dine-in restaurants on April 27. Republican Gov. Bill Lee on Friday will allow the opening of small-group activities, from arcades to bowling alleys, in 89 of the state’s 95 counties.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks. For some, especially older adults and those with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness and be life-threatening.
