Mayor John Cooper: New order requires restaurants to close by 10 p.m., except for delivery, take-out

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Mayor John Cooper says a new public health order will be in place this week, which requires restaurants and businesses to close dine-in services by 10 p.m.

Cooper announced the new order during Tuesday’s COVID-19 briefing, saying it’s expected to be in place by this Friday, July 24, across the county. Dr. Alex Jahangir said take-out service and drive-thru businesses can remain open after 10 p.m.

The new order comes after Nashville received national attention over the weekend for people not wearing masks downtown.

"A city that can't reopen schools smoothly is a city that can't be back to normal," Cooper said, referencing Metro Schools' plan to start remotely in August. “If we have to tell 100,000 children to stay home. We can tell public facilities to close early."

Cooper said similar ordinances are in place in other states, including California, Colorado, Florida and North Carolina.

He said additionally, all transportainment vehicles -- including pedal cabs, pedal carriages and limousines -- must remain closed until at least July 31. Bars are still closed through the end of the month, per amended Order 9.

"Lives literally depend on flattening the curve of the coronavirus," Cooper said, adding that it requires full cooperation from business owners, workers and their customers.

The mayor also referenced a recent White House Coronavirus Task Force report that named Tennessee as one of 18 states that should roll back its reopening as cases continue to surge.

Cooper said if residents follow Metro's facial coverings order, the city can avoid reverting back to previous phases.