Nashville to allow increased bar capacity, venues to host weddings and other ceremonies on Sept. 1 – Tennessean

Mayor John Cooper on Thursday announced plans to further roll back restrictions on shuttered bars, allowing an additional 25 customers outside starting Sept. 1. 

Bars earlier this month were allowed to reopen with a cap of 25 patrons with further restrictions if customers could not be appropriately distanced. Bars may soon allow another 25 patrons for outside seating, Cooper said. 

The city is drafting a new health order to allow the changes to begin Tuesday, including allowing Nashville restaurants to seat and serve patrons at counters. 

Venues may reopen to host weddings, funerals and “similar ceremonies” at 1/3 capacity or a 125 person limit, and Nashville “transpotainment” vehicles may open at half-capacity, with a mask requirements when standing and with riders from the same party. 

City officials said Thursday that Metro Legal is working to define what “similar ceremonies” will be allowed at venues and if alcohol will be allowed onboard the popular tourist party vehicles. 

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On a call with Metro Council members, the Cooper administration said there’s concern about house parties, if the city were to relax the 25 person gathering size limit to allow backyard or at-home weddings. 

Officials said they want to allow a way for a “safer” experience, while also helping Nashville wedding venues  remain in business. 

Progress on curbing the virus has been pronounced in Nashville, which suffered one of the worst outbreaks in Tennessee. Nashville recorded a steady decline of infections and positivity rate in the two months since city officials mandated masks and closed bars.

On Tuesday, the city reported an average positivity rate of below 10% for the first time since May.

Metro health officials Thursday reported 137 new cases, a 6.4% daily positive rate, with two additional deaths. 

“We must get back to work, and we can safely do so,” Cooper said Thursday, adding the city is applying the “important lessons” officials have learned in the past six months to help open more businesses while keeping residents safe.”

Yihyun Jeong covers politics in Nashville for USA TODAY NETWORK – TENNESSEE. Reach her at yjeong@tennessean.com and follow her on Twitter @yihyun_jeong.

Published 11:58 AM EDT Aug 27, 2020