As vaccinations surpass 20%, Nashville eases COVID restrictions; what you need to know

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Now that more than 20% of Davidson County residents have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, Nashville has eased some of its COVID restrictions.

Mayor John Cooper previously announced that once we hit 20% and 30% of residents vaccinated, we could expect to see changes by the weekend of March 27 – and as of Thursday, 24% of residents have received their first dose and 13.1% are now fully vaccinated.

Dr. Alex Jahangir said the new health order with these changes would go into effect Friday at 12:01 a.m.

Under the guidelines for at least 20% being vaccinated, Metro said the following changes would take effect:

• Indoor gatherings limit increases to 10 people (currently 8 people) without Health Department approval required.
• Bar and restaurant capacity: Socially distanced, cap of 175 people per floor (currently 125)
  • Restaurant and bar hours extended to 2 a.m. (currently 1 a.m.).
• Increasing indoor dining party size to 10 people (currently eight people), consistent with 10-person indoor gathering size guidance.
• Increasing outdoor dining party size to 25, consistent with 25-person outdoor gathering limit.
• Large, low-risk indoor conventions can have up to 2,000 people (currently 1,000 people) with Health Department approval.
• Outdoor stadium capacity at 33%.
• Weddings, receptions and parties can increase to about 175 – again pending Metro approval.
• Events and “transportainment” can go until 2 a.m., consistent with restaurant and bar hours.
  • “Transportainment” can have groups up to 25, consistent with 25-person outdoor gathering limit.
• Salons and personal contact businesses at full capacity with masks required.
• Pool capacity at 75% bather load (currently 50%) and saunas open.
• Museums and attractions: Groups to 10 allowed (currently 8).
• Gyms at 75% capacity (currently 50%).
• Attendance at sports leagues and scholastic events: 6 people per-participant and 33% of seating capacity if you can properly socially distance.