NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Mike Osborne) -- Nashville has released a tentative four-step process for reopening the city, but the plan debuted on the same day Metro reported its largest ever single-day spike in new COVID-19 infections.
Health officials reported a total of 182 new COVID-19 cases in the 24 hour period ending Thursday morning.
Nashville pandemic task force chair Dr. Alex Jahangir told reporters the spike in new cases is a “reminder that we’re not out of the woods yet.” But Dr. Jahangir also noted that, even with the sudden jump in cases, the city’s 14 day trend is still headed down.
Metro’s plan for reopening the city would see retail stores and restaurants open at half capacity in the first of four phases.
In Phase Two, elective medical procedures could again be scheduled, restaurants and stores could serve additional customers, and groups of 50 or less would be allowed to gather.
During Phase Three, retail stores and restaurants could serve customers at full capacity, all restrictions on medical procedures would be lifted, the city's tourism industry could resume most operations, and schools would reopen.
Phase Four would see city life return to normal with certain social distancing requirements remaining in force.
Mayor John Cooper stressed that the plan will not be implemented, or allowed to move to successive phases, if key metrics indicate coronavirus is rebounding.
You can read the full 26 page plan here.
