Member Article

Mayor Cooper has ordered Phase 1 of Metro Nashville’s Roadmap for Reopening to begin May 11. Restaurants and stores can open at half capacity starting Monday.

The Roadmap is a four-phase plan to restart the city’s economy. In order to initiate the reopening plan, the city will be required to meet the following criteria:

• Proof of a decline or flat cases of COVID-19 over a 14-day period;
• Adequate testing and PPE capacity in the region; and
• A robust public health infrastructure to conduct contact tracing cases.
  
  

Mayor Cooper confirmed that the decision to reopen will be driven by data and will not focus on a specific target date. When Nashville’s Safer at Home order expires on May 8, Metro health officials will evaluate case data and other metrics collected over the past 14 days to determine if there has been a positive, stable improvement necessary to begin Phase One of the reopening plan.From May 1 until May 8, Davidson County health data must show an average of 80 or fewer new cases per day in order to maintain or improve a downward trajectory in the 14 day metric of new cases.

Each phase of the plan outlines specific operating requirements for commercial and retail businesses, in addition to mass gathering limitations and public health precautions.

Phase One

• Commercial and retail businesses, including restaurants, may open and will be required to:
  • Operate at half capacity.
  • Screen all employees daily for respiratory symptoms and fever.
  • Clean facilities and set explicit guidelines to maintain hygiene and wearing of face coverings for employees and patrons.
  • Bar areas must remain closed, as well as live music.
  • Self-service and shared condiments are prohibited.
• Schools, bars, personal care businesses (hair salons, nail salons, etc.), gyms and fitness facilities, playgrounds, tennis and basketball courts, and sports venues will remain closed.
• Beginning April 30, routine and elective medical and dental procedures may be performed on patientsunder the age of 70.
• No gatherings over 10 people will be permitted.
• Except when performing essential services, individuals over age 65 and those with high risk factors should remain at home.
• Work from home should continue whenever possible.
• Cloth masks are encouraged to be worn in public.

If, after a minimum of 14 days in Phase One, the trend of new cases continues to decline or remains flat, Nashville may proceed to Phase Two of reopening.

Phase Two

• Commercial and retail businesses, including restaurants, will be permitted to increase to3/4operating capacity.
  • Businesses will still be required to screen employees daily and mandate that employees wear masks.
• Personal care businesses, including salons and tattoo shops, may openby appointment only.
  • No walk-ins permitted.
  • Limit number of staff and customers to 10.
  • Employees must be screened daily and required to wear masks.
• Playgrounds, tennis courts, and basketball courts may reopen and must adhere to social distancing measures.
• Small gatherings of 50 or fewer people will be permitted with strict physical distancing protocols implemented, including meetings, religious services, and weddings.
• Schools, bars, gyms and fitness facilities, and sports facilities will remain closed.
• Routine and elective medical and dental procedures may be performed on patients of all age groups.
• Except when performing essential services, individuals over age 65 and those with high risk factors should remain at home.
• Work from home should continue whenever possible.
• Cloth masks are encouraged to be worn in public.

If there is a significant increase in active cases during Phase Two, Nashville will be required to revert to Phase One. If, after a minimum of 14 days in Phase Two, the trend of new cases continues to decline or remains flat, Nashville may proceed to Phase Three of reopening.

Click here to read more.