Order 7 from the Chief Medical Director was issued on June 22, 2020, outlining phase three reopening for Nashville and Davidson County and was amended and restated on June 29, 2020. Social distancing and other precautions had slowed the rate at which COVID-19 was spreading. However, the threat of a return to significant increases in numbers remained and unfortunately occurred.
Order 9 from the Chief Medical Director issued on July 3, 2020, paused phase three and implemented a hybrid phase two. Order 9 from the Chief Medical Director was amended three times to protect public health.
On August 16, 2020 Order 11 from the Chief Medical Director was issued continuing to pause phase three and implementing additional phase two modifications. Order 11 was amended twice to further protect public health.
On September 30, 2020 Nashville again entered phase three reopening on issuance of Order 12 from the Chief Medical Director.
Nashville, our state, and much of our nation continues to experience the threat of a significant burden from COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Epidemiologists and infectious disease experts agree that in the absence of strict social distancing and wearing cloth face coverings or masks, numbers could once again spike, possibly to a significant extent with the emergence of more infectious strains of the virus. COVID-19 will continue to be a serious threat until a greater percentage of the population is vaccinated and/or more effective therapeutic treatments are available. For the foreseeable future, living with COVID-19 continues to be our new “normal.”
Living with COVID-19 means finding ways for our city to return to work with COVID-19 still circulating. The Roadmap for Reopening Nashville (Roadmap) presented a framework for a four-phase reopening reflecting the state of the COVID-19 pandemic in Tennessee and distinctive needs in Nashville. The Roadmap with modifications provides
ways for our city to continue to return to work with COVID-19 still circulating.
Based on considerations contained in the Roadmap, the declining case numbers in Nashville and Davidson County, increased availability and acceptance of vaccines by our citizens, and improved compliance with the Interim Chief Medical Director’s orders and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance on wearing cloth face coverings or masks, social distancing, hand hygiene, and cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, it is appropriate to ease some restrictions at this time.
Accordingly, this Order is being issued superseding and replacing Seventh Amended and Restated Order 12 from the Interim Chief Medical Director issued on March 1, 2021, and further outlining phase three for reopening Nashville and Davidson County to protect public health.
Section 1
Citizens of Nashville and Davidson County at high-risk and those age 65 or older are urged to shelter at home, to be safer at home, and get vaccinated as soon as possible. All individuals needing to leave their homes or places of residence should practice appropriate social distancing, staying six feet apart, and should assume others are infectious, regardless of whether they exhibit symptoms.
Crowd sizes of more than 10 people indoors or 25 outdoors are prohibited, except for places of worship and as otherwise specified in this Order. These prohibitions apply to any event or convening that brings together groups of individuals, including but not limited to community, civic or sporting events; parades, concerts, festivals, conventions, fundraisers, private gatherings and similar activities. People in attendance are directed to adhere to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance on social distancing and hand hygiene, remaining 6 feet apart (CDC.gov); and to comply with Order 8 from the Chief Medical Director regarding face coverings or masks.
Metro parks, greenways, trails, golf courses, community centers, clubhouses, museums, Sportsplex, tennis courts, and nature centers will remain open. Playgrounds, dog parks, basketball courts, picnic shelters, splash pads, and skate parks may open to the public. Indoor sports and recreation leagues and sports tournaments that do not pause shall limit attendance to players, coaches, referees, and up to six attendees per participant. Outdoor sports and recreation leagues and sports tournaments shall limit attendance to 33% of seating capacity. The number of attendees indoors or outdoors shall not exceed the number that may be seated in compliance with CDC guidance on social distancing between parties. Concession stands may open. Citizens using these open spaces or facilities are directed to adhere to crowd-size limitations, CDC guidance on social distancing, and Order 8 from the Chief Medical Director regarding face coverings or masks.
Individuals experiencing homelessness, who may include individuals in shelters and homeless encampments, shall not be subject to this Order but shall be encouraged to follow CDC guidance on social distancing and hand hygiene.
Section 2
Nothing in this Order shall prohibit any business possessing applicable licenses or permits from conducting deliveries pursuant to CDC guidance on social distancing.
An individual, entity or organization conducting take-out, window, drive-through or curb-side service shall see that sufficient space is maintained between customers to comply with CDC guidance on social distancing.
Nothing in this Order is intended to prohibit individuals from performing business functions from their own homes, provided that such business functions comply with existing law.
An individual, entity, business or organization open to the public shall comply with the following conditions:
- Adherence to CDC guidance on social distancing, which may be accomplished through barriers or partitions between individuals, and hand hygiene.
- An employee, contractor or entertainer with symptoms or temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or greater must leave the premises immediately.
- Post information about health precautions for patrons, employees, staff, entertainers, and contractors (such as maintaining appropriate social distancing while lining up for entry or checkout, and frequent hand hygiene).
- Customers, attendees and guests shall follow Order 8 from the Chief Medical Director by wearing cloth face coverings or masks while in the store or business.
- Automate doors to the extent possible.
- Provide hand sanitizer to the extent possible, including at all entrances.
- Advise employees, entertainers, and contractors to not come to work if they feel ill or have any symptom until the employee satisfies CDC guidance for release from isolation and quarantine.
- Employees, entertainers, and contractors shall follow Order 8 from the Chief Medical Director by wearing cloth face coverings or masks when physically interacting with the public or other employees.
Section 3
Retail and other commercial businesses, except those listed in Sections 5, 7, and 13 in this Order, may operate at 75% or less of store occupancy based on Tennessee’s Building and Fire Code, provided the business equally distributes patrons throughout the entire amount of space on which store occupancy is based, and subject to the conditions in Section 2 in this Order. Food and beverage dining areas in retail and commercial businesses may operate subject to the following conditions: 1) Limit the number of customers to those that may be seated in compliance with CDC guidance on social distancing between parties; and 2) Otherwise comply with the conditions contained in Section 4, paragraph 1 in this Order.
Close contact personal care and appearance services including, but not limited to, hair, nail, massage, tattoo, tanning, and waxing may operate at up to 100% of store occupancy based on Tennessee’s Building and Fire Code, provided employees and customers comply with Order 8 from the Chief Medical Director when physically interacting with the public or employees. These businesses shall require appointments or similar methods for customer entry to reduce unnecessarily large groups of waiting customers.
Section 4
An Individual, entity, or organization that is a food service establishment as defined in T.C.A. § 68-14-703(9) that holds a license issued by the Tennessee ABC, an on-premise beer permit, or allows the consumption of alcohol on premises may operate at up to the number of patrons that may be seated in compliance with CDC guidance on social distancing between parties, not to exceed 175 patrons per floor and 100 patrons outdoors. Enclosed outdoors space shall be considered part of the building’s adjacent floor, and the patrons in such space included in calculating whether the establishment has exceeded the maximum number of patrons allowed on that floor. Establishments shall equally distribute patrons throughout the entire amount of outdoors or indoors space, and comply with the following conditions:
- Adherence by employees and patrons to the conditions in Section 2 in this Order.
- Tables or booths shall be arranged or closed to provide sufficient space between parties to comply with CDC guidance on social distancing, which may be accomplished through barriers or partitions between individuals or parties.
- Customers and guests shall follow Order 8 from the Chief Medical Director by wearing cloth face coverings or masks, except when seated and consuming food or beverage. Masks must be worn while standing or walking on premises.
- Customers and guests shall remain seated, except when entering or exiting the premises, or walking to or from the restroom.
- Party size of more than 10 people indoors or 25 people outdoors is prohibited.
- Social distancing must be maintained in kitchens and dining rooms.
- Bar-counter areas may operate at up to the number of customers that may be seated in compliance with CDC guidance on social distancing between parties. The bar may be used to prepare and service orders from patrons seated elsewhere. No customer is allowed to stand at the bar.
- Live music or entertainment is allowed, subject to the conditions set out in Exhibit A attached hereto. All music or entertainment shall cease at 1:30 a.m. CDT.
- Self-serve food or condiment stations, water fountains, and beverage filling stations are allowed.
- Employees shall follow Order 8 from the Chief Medical Director by wearing cloth face coverings or masks when preparing food or beverage or physically interacting with the public or other employees.
- Alcohol for on-premises consumption may be served only to seated customers.
- Ancillary or participatory activities including, but not limited to, arcade games, pool, foosball, darts, axe throwing, amusement rides, laser tag, or similar activities may resume.
- No customer shall be allowed to enter the premises after 1:00 a.m. CDT except to order or pick up take-out food or beverage. No order for food or beverage for on-premise consumption shall be allowed after 1:00 a.m. CDT. All customers shall be off premises and the premise closed to the public between 2:00 a.m. CDT and 5:00 a.m. CDT.
- Services for the preparation of food or beverages, receiving call-in orders, providing take-out, window, drive-through or curb-side service, and off-premises delivery and sale of prepared food or beverages, including alcohol, remain open and may continue to operate after 2:00 a.m. CDT subject to any applicable federal, state, or local laws, except that take-out, window, or curb-side delivery and sale of alcohol shall be prohibited between 2:00 a.m. CDT and 5:00 a.m. CDT.
An individual, entity, or organization whose primary business is food service (any food service establishment as defined in T.C.A. § 68-14-703(9)) except those subject to the provisions in the preceding paragraph, may operate up to 24 hours per day. Such businesses may operate at up to the number of patrons that may be seated in compliance with CDC guidance on social distancing between parties, not to exceed 175 patrons per floor and 100 patrons outdoors. Enclosed outdoors space shall be considered part of the building’s adjacent floor, and the patrons in such space included in calculating whether the establishment has exceeded the maximum number of patrons allowed on that floor. Establishments shall equally distribute patrons throughout the entire amount of outdoors or indoors space and comply with the following conditions:
- Adherence by employees and patrons to the conditions in Section 2 in this Order.
- Tables or booths shall be arranged or closed to provide sufficient space between parties to comply with CDC guidance on social distancing, which may be accomplished through barriers or partitions between individuals or parties.
- Customers and guests shall follow Order 8 from the Chief Medical Director by wearing cloth face coverings or masks, except when seated and consuming food or beverage.
- Customers and guests shall remain seated, except when entering or exiting the premises, or walking to or from the restroom.
- Party size of more than 10 people indoors or 25 people outdoors is prohibited.
- Social distancing must be maintained in kitchens and dining rooms.
- Counter areas may operate at up to the number of customers that may be seated in compliance with CDC guidance on social distancing between parties. The counter may be used to prepare and service orders from patrons seated elsewhere. No customer is allowed to stand at the counter.
- Self-serve food or condiment stations, water fountains, and beverage filling stations are allowed.
- Employees shall follow Order 8 from the Chief Medical Director by wearing cloth face coverings or masks when preparing food or beverage or physically interacting with the public or other employees.
- Ancillary or participatory activities including, but not limited to, arcade games, pool, foosball, darts, axe throwing, amusement rides, laser tag, or similar activities may resume.
- Services for the preparation of food or non-alcoholic beverages, receiving call-in orders, providing take-out, window, drive-through or curb-side service, and off-premises delivery and sale of prepared food or non-alcoholic beverages, remain open and may continue to operate, subject to any applicable federal, state, or local laws.
Bars that hold an on-premise beer permit but do not hold a license issued by the Tennessee ABC may operate at up to the number of patrons that may be seated in compliance with CDC guidance on social distancing between parties, not to exceed 175 patrons per floor and 100 patrons outdoors. Enclosed outdoors space shall be considered part of the building’s adjacent floor, and the patrons in such space included in calculating whether the establishment has exceeded the maximum number of patrons allowed on that floor. Establishments shall equally distribute patrons throughout the entire amount of outdoors or indoors space and comply with the conditions listed in Section 2 in this Order and the first paragraph in this section.
Section 5
Notwithstanding Sections 3 and 4 in this Order, the following businesses may open to the public at 50% or less of occupancy based on Tennessee’s Building and Fire Code, provided the business equally distributes patrons throughout the entire amount of space on which occupancy is based:
- Gymnasiums and exercise and fitness facilities that serve the public or facility members including, but not limited to, swimming pools, personal training, martial arts, dance, yoga, Pilates, and climbing;
- Bowling alleys, miniature golf, driving ranges and target golf, go-carts, water parks, zip lines, paintball, ice or roller rinks, arcades, and similar attractions or participatory activities;
- Museums, zoos, and cinemas; and
- Social clubs (including but not limited to lodges and posts).
All such businesses shall comply with the conditions in Section 2 in this Order.
Gymnasiums and exercise and fitness facilities that serve the public or facility members shall adhere to the following additional conditions:
- Social distancing should be extended to a minimum of ten feet, except with regard to low intensity aerobic activities.
- Indoor sports and recreation leagues and sports tournaments that do not pause shall limit attendance to players, coaches, referees, and up to six attendees per participant. Outdoor sports and recreation leagues and sports tournaments shall limit attendance to 33% of seating capacity. The number of attendees indoors or outdoors shall not exceed the number that may be seated in compliance with CDC guidance on social distancing between parties. Concession stands may open.
- No steam room or sauna shall be allowed.
- Indoor and outdoor pools shall limit occupancy to 50% or less of the posted maximum bather load limit, provided CDC guidance on social distancing is maintained on the pool deck.
- Gymnasiums and facilities serving food or beverage shall: 1) Limit the number of customers to those that may be seated in compliance with CDC guidance on social distancing between parties, and 2) Otherwise comply with the conditions contained in Section 4, paragraph 1 in this Order.
Bowling alleys, miniature golf, driving ranges and target golf, go-carts, water parks, zip lines, paintball, ice or roller rinks, arcades, and similar attractions or participatory activities shall adhere to the following additional conditions:
- Ancillary activities including, but not limited to, arcade games, pool, foosball, darts, axe throwing, laser tag, amusement rides, or similar activities are allowed. Cleaning supplies and hand sanitizer should be provided alongside each activity for customer use.
- Group visits, field trips, or special or private events may resume, provided party size shall not exceed 10 people indoors or 25 people outdoors.
- Guided tours or public programs may operate at up to the number of people that can participate while maintaining compliance with CDC guidance on social distancing between parties.
- Attractions and participatory businesses serving food or beverage shall: 1) Limit the number of customers to those that may be seated in compliance with CDC guidance on social distancing between parties, and 2) Otherwise comply with the conditions contained in Section 4, paragraph 1 in this Order.
Museums, zoos, and cinemas shall adhere to the following additional conditions:
- Group visits, field trips, special or private events, guided tours or public programs may operate at up to the number of participants that may participate while maintaining compliance with CDC guidance on social distancing between parties.
- Interactive exhibits may continue. Cleaning supplies and hand sanitizer should be provided alongside each exhibit for customer use.
- Museums, zoos, and cinemas serving food or beverage shall: 1) Limit the number of customers to those that may be seated in compliance with CDC guidance on social distancing between parties, and 2) Otherwise comply with the conditions contained in Section 4, paragraph 1 in this Order.
- Ancillary or participatory activities including, but not limited to, arcade games, pool, foosball, darts, amusement rides, laser tag, or similar activities are allowed. Cleaning supplies and hand sanitizer should be provided alongside each activity for customer use.
Social or private clubs serving or allowing consumption of food or beverage on premises, shall otherwise comply with the conditions contained in Section 4, paragraph 1 in this Order.
Section 6
Day camps and overnight camps may open to the public subject to the following conditions:
- The number of campers and staff inside an enclosed facility shall not exceed the number that may be seated in compliance with CDC guidance on social distancing between parties. Adherence to CDC guidance on social distancing may be accomplished through barriers or partitions between campers or staff. This capacity limitation may be exceeded in the event of adverse weather, emergency, or similar event.
- Supplies, including but not limited to arts and crafts, should be pre-sorted for each camper’s use.
- Sanitize all items, supplies, or equipment after each camper’s use.
- Adherence to CDC guidance on hand hygiene.
- Screen daily all employees and campers before they enter the facility, and for camps providing transportation all employees and campers before they board such transportation, with temperature and symptoms checks. Overnight family campers must be screened each day. An employee or camper with symptoms or temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or greater must leave immediately or shall not board.
- Provide an isolation room or area to separate any camper who becomes ill or exhibits COVID-19 symptoms.
- Post information about health precautions for campers, employees, and staff (such as maintaining appropriate social distancing and frequent hand hygiene).
- Assign campers to small groups, a ratio of 1 counselor per 10 campers, to remain intact for the duration of the camp.
- Activities requiring close contact should be eliminated from the curriculum or modified to allow adherence to CDC guidance on social distancing.
- Campers shall follow Order 8 from the Chief Medical Director by wearing cloth face coverings or masks while indoors or using camp transportation.
- Provide hand sanitizer to the extent possible, including at all entrances.
- Camps offering transportation shall provide hand sanitizer for campers’ use prior to boarding or disembarking for incoming or outgoing trips.
- Advise employees to not come to work if they feel ill or have any symptom until the employee satisfies CDC guidance for release from isolation and quarantine.
- Employees shall follow Order 8 from the Chief Medical Director by wearing cloth face coverings or masks when physically interacting with campers or other employees.
- Cafeteria or buffet lines, self-serve food or condiment stations, water fountains, and beverage filling stations are allowed.
- Overnight camps shall limit occupancy in each cabin to the number approved in advance by the Metropolitan Public Health Department. Each cabin’s group shall remain together for the duration of the camp having only incidental interaction with others.
Section 7
Notwithstanding Section 1 in this Order, community, civic or sporting events; parades, concerts, festivals, conventions, fundraisers, private gatherings and similar activities, whether held on private property or at venues, businesses, or facilities for rent or open to the public, may be allowed up to a maximum of 2,000 people, subject to the following conditions:
- Operators, organizers, sponsors or hosts must file a written plan with the Metropolitan Public Health Department and obtain its advance written approval. In most all cases the owner of the facility where the event is to be held is expected to file the written plan.
- All customers, guests or attendees shall be off premises and the premise closed to the public between 2:00 a.m. CDT and 5:00 a.m. CDT.
- Adherence by employees, patrons, and attendees to the conditions in Section 2 in this Order.
- Seating sufficient for at least one-half the total attendees shall be provided.
- Include educational information about COVID-19 in contracts, tickets, websites, and promotions.
- Social distancing must be maintained in kitchens and dining areas.
- Food and beverage table-service is recommended. Bar areas may be open, provided CDC guidance on social distancing is maintained.
- Live music or entertainment is allowed, subject to the conditions set out in Exhibit A attached hereto.
- Self-serve food or condiment stations, water fountains, and beverage filling stations are allowed.
Sporting events at Nissan Stadium must adhere to the Nissan Stadium Safe Stadium Plan.
Events at Bridgestone Arena must adhere to the NHL’s Arena Restart Protocols. Spectators shall be limited to 25% of ticketed capacity, subject to advance written approval by the Metropolitan Health Department. No party of more than 10 people shall be seated together or allowed in a suite.
Events at outdoor venues or spaces shall be limited to 33% of ticketed capacity, subject to advance written approval of site plan and protocols by the Metropolitan Health Department.
Section 8
Activities necessary to maintain continuity of operations of critical infrastructure sectors continue to be allowed.
As set forth by the United States Department of Homeland Security in the link above the federal government has identified 16 critical infrastructure sectors whose assets, systems and networks, whether physical or virtual, are considered so vital to the United States that their incapacitation or destruction would have a debilitating effect on security, economic security, public health or safety, or any combination thereof. Individuals working in these 16 critical infrastructure sectors may continue their work because of the importance of these sectors to the health and well-being of individuals residing or working in Nashville and Davidson County.
Section 9
The following sectors and businesses and their employees will remain open providing essential services to protect the health and well-being of all individuals residing or working in Nashville and Davidson County.
- Federal and state offices and services, and private companies or individuals performing under federal, state, or local government contracts;
- Essential government functions including, but not limited to, law enforcement, public transportation, and businesses that provide government programs and services, including functions assisting economically disadvantaged populations and individuals experiencing homelessness;
- Companies providing media, communication and telecommunication services;
- Grocery and beverage stores, farmers markets, food banks, caterers, convenience stores selling food, agriculture, food manufacturing and processing, feed mills, and other businesses that directly support the food supply including, but not limited to, farming, livestock, and food cultivation;
- Health care, mental and behavioral health, biomedical research, laboratory services, and other businesses that directly support the healthcare industry including, but not limited to, health information technology, staffing, and supplies;
- Sanitation and waste removal;
- Energy, water, and sewage businesses and services;
- Pharmacies, medical supply, and other businesses that directly support the drug and medical supply pipeline;
- Vehicle fuel, support, and service stations, vehicle and bicycle parts and repair businesses, and vehicle and bicycle sales, leasing and rental businesses, except any vehicle rental subject to Section 12;
- Banks, savings and loans, insurance companies, accounting businesses, and other financial institutions, and businesses that directly support the insurance and financial services sectors;
- Real property marketing, leasing, purchase, and sale services;
- Moving and relocation services;
- Legal and judicial services;
- Laundromats, laundry, and cleaning services;
- Home and business structure and equipment repair, hardware, building supply, and appliance sale and repairs;
- Warehousing and storage facilities;
- Construction, architectural, engineering, or surveying services. Construction sites shall observe social distancing on all elevators or hoists and must have sanitation stations available on every floor where work is under way. Social distancing must be observed to the maximum extent possible;
- Product logistics, transport, and distribution businesses;
- Parcel transportation and delivery businesses;
- Veterinary and pet supply business and services;
- Home and business cleaning and maintenance services;
- Educational institutions, public and private K-12 schools, private colleges and universities, trade schools, post-secondary, and technical colleges, subject to the conditions in Nashville Plan: A Framework for a Safe, Efficient and Equitable Return to School. Public and private K – 12 schools indoor sports league games and tournaments shall limit attendance to team members, cheerleaders, coaches, staff, referees, and six ticketed attendees per participant. Administrators may allow up to three ticketed college scout attendees per game. There shall be a thirty-minute break and the venue empty between each game, except staff and ticketed attendees possessing a ticket for the subsequent game may remain. Outdoor sports league games and tournaments shall limit attendance to 33% of seating capacity. Attendees at indoor or outdoor games shall adhere to CDC guidance on social distancing, and Order 8 from the Chief Medical Director regarding face coverings or masks. Concession stands may open;
- Landscaping and nurseries;
- Production, distribution, and sale of household consumer goods such as cleaning and personal care products;
- Essential building maintenance and security;
- Individuals whose job functions require them to be at their work location and who are essential to preserving the value of the business’s inventory, information systems, accounting, and human resources of any business which is otherwise in substantial compliance with this Order;
- Nonprofit entities providing charitable and social services for individuals who are economically disadvantaged or otherwise in need of assistance including, but not limited to, entities providing support and assistance to victims of the tornado that struck Nashville on March 3, 2020, and the COVID-19 epidemic; and
- Other businesses and services that may be determined are essential for the continued safety and security of Davidson County.
Section 10
The following businesses may remain open subject to compliance with the following conditions:
- Daycare and childcare businesses. They shall prioritize children of parents working for essential infrastructure sectors, businesses, or service providers to the extent practicable.
- Hotels, short term rental properties, commercial lodges, and dormitories remain open for lodging guests or residents, and may operate meeting, conference, banquet, or ball rooms, subject to the conditions set out in Section 7 in this Order. These facilities may provide food and beverage pick-up and room-service, and restaurants located therein may operate at up to the number of customers that may be seated in compliance with CDC guidance on social distancing, not to exceed 175 customers per floor, and subject to the conditions set out in Section 4, paragraph 1 in this Order.
- Funeral service establishments shall continue to use universal precautions under industry standards for handling human remains. All gatherings, whether indoors or outdoors, shall comply with social-distancing requirements and crowd-size limitations. Remote video attendance is strongly encouraged. In person viewings of the deceased are allowable. Any part of the casket that has been touched should be sanitized after closure and before being moved. Hand sanitizer should be provided at each entrance and throughout the establishment in areas accessible to the public.
Section 11
Essential businesses, facilities and sectors previously open to the public, especially grocery stores and pharmacies, shall make best efforts to establish hours of operations during which their services are available only to senior citizens or otherwise vulnerable populations. Grocery stores and other retail establishments previously open to the public shall continue to limit customer occupancy to no more than the number of people who can engage in social-distancing protocols at one time.
Businesses, facilities, and sectors are to adhere to Order 8 from the Chief Medical Director regarding wearing cloth face coverings or masks, and CDC guidance on social distancing, hand hygiene, and cleaning and disinfecting a facility.
Businesses, facilities, and sectors are encouraged to allow employees when possible to work on-site in shifts to optimize social distancing in the workplace, and to consider the options of telecommuting or work-from-home procedures.
Section 12
Businesses holding a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the Metropolitan Transportation Licensing Commission (MTLC) under Metro Code of Laws (M.C.L.) Section 6.75.020 (pedicabs and pedal carriages) and limousines as defined in M.C.L. Section 6.74.010 may operate at 75% of capacity, subject to the conditions in the third paragraph in this Section.
Pursuant to the Chief Medical Director’s authority under Metro’s Charter and Code of Laws, the Board of Health’s Declaration of Public Health Emergency adopted on March 15, 2020, Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-2-609, and the Governor’s Executive Order No. 38, as amended by Executive Order No.’s 50, 59, 63, 67, 73, and 77, businesses or individuals operating passenger vehicles for hire (“for hire,” as used herein, has the same definition as it is given in Section 6.74.010 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws) in Davidson County that are designed to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, or which have a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of ten thousand and one (10,001) or more pounds may operate at up to 75% capacity. Businesses or individuals subject to the provisions in this paragraph shall comply with the conditions in the third paragraph in this Section.
Businesses or individuals identified in the two preceding paragraphs holding a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the MTLC or operating passenger vehicles for hire in Davidson County shall comply with the following conditions:
- All passengers shall be off the vehicle and the business closed to the public between 2:00 a.m. CDT and 5:00 a.m. CDT.
- Alcohol may be consumed on the vehicle.
- Adherence by employees, drivers, and passengers to the conditions in Section 2 in this Order.
- Party size of more than 10 people in an enclosed vehicle or 25 people in an open-air vehicle is prohibited.
- Customers and guests shall wear cloth face coverings or masks, except when actively consuming food or beverage.
- Hand sanitizer shall be provided for passengers’ use prior to boarding or disembarking the vehicle.
- All passengers must load at and be returned to the same location.
The following businesses may remain open and operate without being subject to the provisions in this Section:
- Services or vehicles operated, managed, or controlled by the Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority.
- Intercity carriers of passengers operating under authority from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration that are members of the nationwide intercity bus network and that provide regularly scheduled bus service for the general public, where such bus service operates with limited stops over fixed routes connecting two or more urban areas not in close proximity, has the capacity for transporting baggage carried by passengers, and makes meaningful connections with scheduled intercity bus service to more distant points, if such service is available.
Section 13
Notwithstanding Section 3 in this Order, sexually oriented businesses or establishments as defined in Section 6.54.010 Z of the Metropolitan Code of Laws may operate at up to the number of customers that may be seated in compliance with CDC guidance on social distancing, not to exceed 175 patrons per floor, provided the business equally distributes patrons throughout the entire amount of space, and complies with the following conditions:
- Adherence by employees, entertainers, contractors and patrons to the conditions in Section 2 in this Order.
- Tables or booths shall be arranged or closed to provide sufficient space between parties to comply with CDC guidance on social distancing, which may be accomplished through barriers or partitions between individuals or parties.
- Customers and guests shall remain seated, except when entering or exiting the premises, or walking to or from the restroom.
- No party of more than 10 people shall be allowed.
- Live music or entertainment is allowed, subject to the conditions set out in Exhibit A attached hereto.
- All surfaces shall be sanitized after each person’s use.
- All customers shall be off premises and the premise closed to the public between 2:00 a.m. CDT and the hours for reopening provided in Section 6.54.120 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws.
Section 14
Violations of this Order shall be subject to civil and criminal penalties.
If any provision, sentence, clause, phrase, or word, of this Order or any application of it to any individual, business, or circumstance is held to be invalid by a decision of a court of competent jurisdiction, then such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions or applications of this Order.
Upon becoming effective, this Order supersedes and replaces Seventh Amended and Restated Order 12 from the Interim Chief Medical Director issued on March 1, 2021.
This Order 13 from the Interim Chief Medical Director is hereby issued and effective at 12:01 a.m. CDT on March 26, 2021 and shall remain in effect until it is rescinded, superseded, or amended.
Date: 3/24/2021
Michael C. Caldwell MD MPH
Chief Medical Director of Health
Exhibit A
In conjunction with metro’s current guidelines, the following steps will be implemented to ensure the safety of the public, hospitality workers, and musicians:
- All live musicians/entertainers will operate under the same guidelines as the property/venue’s staff. Temperatures will be checked upon arrival and they will be screened with the same questions about wellness, COVID symptoms & potential exposure. Anyone with a temperature of 100.4 or higher, or anyone with COVID symptoms, will be asked to leave the property and instructed to follow the existing recommendations for testing and self-isolating.
- Management will request periodic testing of musicians to ensure they are ahead of any infection risks.
- Venues/properties will continue to operate at reduced capacity (per Interim Chief Medical Director’s orders). Seating and distancing guidelines must be adhered to.
- Venues/properties will ensure all musicians are staged a safe distance from guests/tables defined as a minimum of 15 feet between performers and patrons.
- Musicians will not be permitted on stage until the prior musicians have exited the stage and the venue has had the opportunity to sanitize.
- The venue/property will fully sanitize the stage between acts: cables and stools must be sanitized.
- No equipment may be shared between performers; each musician is responsible for bringing their own equipment (microphones, mic stands, amplifiers, drumsticks, etc.).
- Social distancing protocols should be observed among performers (can be accomplished with barriers and other techniques).
- No dance floors permitted. When possible, tables will be placed on dance floors or the dance floor area will be cordoned off to deter gathering.
- Staff shall maintain a minimum distance of 6 feet from patrons, except when placing an item on the patron’s table. Music volume should not exceed a level that would prohibit staff from maintaining the minimum 6 feet distance while interacting with patrons.