/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67056216/Broadway_Nashville.0.jpg)
In the press conference this morning Tuesday, July 14, Mayor John Cooper announced that Nashville will remain in Phase Two of the reopening map after an “alarming surge” in COVID-19 cases. He said that due to the increase, bars will remain closed through at least July 31.
Cooper said that currently, one in every five Nashvillians gets COVID-19, adding that people below the age of 25 have seen an increase in cases. The mayor said “Don’t share your air, Nashville”, emphasizing that masks are now mandated in closed spaces, crowded places, and close contact settings (including entrance and exit to restaurants and to and from bathrooms inside restaurants). 13 counties and cities in Tennessee currently have local mask ordinances in place.
Many travel restrictions in other states also prevent people from traveling to Tennessee at this time. Bars are now closed in ten states, as studies indicate they are major sources of spread of the virus.
The Metro Public Health Department announced there are 15,473 current cases of COVID-19 in Davidson County. This is an increase of 771 total cases in the past 24 hours. There have been two new confirmed deaths. A total of 140 people have died after a confirmed case of COVID-19.