NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Businesses in Nashville that can reopen if the city reaches Phase Three must wait even longer.
Mayor John Cooper announced on Thursday that the city will remain in Phase Two because of a slight upward trend in COVID-19 cases.
That means tours, transportainment, adult entertainment, recreational leagues, bars not serving food and small music venues can’t operate at even half a capacity.
Old Town Trolley Tours of Nashville was getting ready to offer rides on Friday but was forced to hold off after the mayor’s announcement. The company let go of 80 people when COVID-19 hit and has re-hired seven employees so far. Staff was cleaning booths and equipment preparing to offer rides at half capacity and modified hours.
“We are a bit disappointed,” general manager Steve Burress told NewsChannel 5. “We are going to comply with the mayor’s orders because we feel that’s important.”
Burress said the company already sold tickets online. On any given month during the summer, Old Town Trolley Tours would carry 1000 people each day.
Ryan Jeanes of Really Entertaining Tours has provided walking tours in downtown since 2016. His main source of income vanished in a matter of weeks. Jeanes said even if he can guide the dozens of people he gets every week, there’s simply no business.
“I have no income right now from something that was pretty steady,” Jeans said. “But if you look at my bookings, it says zero, zero, zero down the line and I don’t have anything booked.”
For now, Jeanes is relying on his savings and using his time to work on personal projects.
To learn what can open in the roadmap to reopening in Nashville, click on this link.
